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REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH FOR 1955 5
and even though the training of inspectorial staff may need to be
given a different emphasis, I can see no possibility of there being
a diminished demand for qualified sanitary inspectors in the foreseeable
future. Indeed, it is likely that quite apart from these newer
problems which are presenting themselves, the recent legislation such
as the Food Hygiene Regulations would justify an increase in the
establishment of sanitary inspectors.
This is a problem to which we have given a great deal of attention
and we have inaugurated a training scheme so that we can train
our own inspectors. This is a long or medium term project which
should, however, pay dividends in the years to come, provided
always that the right type of candidate is forthcoming to enter the
profession of Sanitary Inspector. In the meantime, the problem of
how to cope with the existing work, not to mention the demands of
new legislation, is one which is causing very considerable anxiety.
One may indeed be reluctantly forced to accept a somewhat lower
standard of routine work in order to spread the burden as evenly as
possible. At a time when health departments ought to be thinking
of expanding their activities to include those killing diseases which
might be amenable to preventive measures, it is a sombre thought
that we should have seriously to think of contracting our services.
In the meantime, I would like to pay a tribute to our existing staff
of inspectors who are carrying a considerable burden of extra work
and duties.
I reported last year that Mr. Vickers, Chief Sanitary Inspector,
retired during the year. He was succeeded in July by Mr. E. V.
Roots, who was promoted from the position of Deputy Chief
Sanitary Inspector. To fill the vacancy occasioned by Mr. Roots'
promotion, Mr. C. F. Standish was selected to fill the position of
Deputy Chief Sanitary Inspector. It is a great pleasure to welcome
Mr. Roots and Mr. Standish to the responsible positions which they
have undertaken.
It is a routine in most Annual Reports to pay a tribute to the
help which the Medical Officer of Health receives from many
individuals and agencies without whose assistance the work of the
health department would be immeasurably more difficult. Because