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18
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH—WORK OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH INSPECTORS
Chief Public Health Inspector: E. W. Pike, M.A.P.H.I.
Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector: V. A. Bignell, F.A.P.H.I., M.R.S.H.
At 31st December, 1969
Establishment In post
Public Health Inspectors 59 (59) 52 (53)
Student Public Health Inspectors 15 (15) 15 (14)
Technical Assistants 24 (24) 22 (24)
The staff position in respect of public health inspectors and technical assistants has been well
maintained during the year in the face of shortage of inspectors throughout the country and increasing
difficulties in recruitment of technical assistants of a high calibre. Three inspectors resigned, and
two senior inspectors retired from the service. Two students completed training, and upon qualification
were appointed to established posts; one abandoned his studies, and four appointments were
made.
Constant and close liaison between the inspectorate and other departments of the City Council's
services, also with officers of other bodies having allied interests and duties, continues to be maintained,
as does the regular meeting and exchange of views between inspectors upon matters of
technology and administration, and the furtherance of professional knowledge. As a result, public
relations continue to be very satisfactory, the service provided being reliable and widely appreciated.
Within the following pages will be found references to particularised items and statistics of the
work of the inspectorate in the various specialized sections of the department and on general public
health (district) duties.
There has been no fundamental change in the disposition of the inspectorate, the members of
which continue to carry out their duties both satisfactorily and with enthusiasm. The policy of
allowing, where possible and practicable, individuals to gain experience in the different sections
continues, and contributes greatly towards maintenance of the establishment. The anticipation of
continued service with the City Council in a congenial atmosphere, and where newly qualified
inspectors can see rewarding prospects for their efforts, are incentives valued by professional officers.
Public Health Inspectors—Night and Week-end duties
Arrangements continue to operate whereby coverage of "out of hours" duties is maintained as far
as is practicable. More emphasis has been placed on the supervision of street traders in the field of
sale of foodstuffs, particularly by itinerant vendors from unlicensed stalls outside recognized market
places, and valuable liaison with the Police has been established in this regard. This activity provides
all inspectors, in addition to those in the Food Section, with an opportunity to gain wider experience
in matters of food control and hygiene, and incidentally, with court procedure.
Student Public Health Inspectors
During the year the training of students continued to be supervised by a senior public health
inspector, and the established principle of providing all-round practical experience by two-monthly
periods in different sections of the department was adhered to. Especial attention to individual needs
is arranged during the final year of study.
Of the four students completing their course of study during 1969 two were successful in the
Diploma examination and the other two were referred to undergo further training in order to re-sit
one section of the examination. A further four students were appointed.
District Inspection
The division of the City into four areas, comprising a total of twenty-four districts, in 1968, has
proved to be both practicable and, as anticipated, beneficial to the attendant administration. It is
expected that early in 1970 when the North Westminster Project is fully launched, the minor
adjustments to Areas 3 and 4 occasioned thereby will be assimilated smoothly.
Summaries of the work carried out by the district and other inspectors are contained in Tables 8,
9, 10 and 11, on pages 70 and 71.