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The Council were informed subsequently, however, that the
Metropolitan Water Board do not consider the time opportune
to decide its policy in this matter, in view of the lack of unanimity
of opinion between the local health authorities whose areas are
served by the Board.
Nursing Homes
The Council controls the registration and supervision of all
nursing homes within the Borough, and its powers in this connection
are contained in the Public Health Act, 1936, the Nursing
Homes Act, 1963, the Conduct of Nursing Homes Regulations,
1963, and, for mental nursing homes, the Mental Health Act,
1959. During the year, periodic visits were made to all the homes
by the Department's medical and nursing officers and public
health inspectors.
There were nine registered nursing homes in the Borough at
the end of the year, with a total of 287 beds. No new homes
were registered during the year, but the registration of one
maternity nursing home was withdrawn when it closed down.
The categories and accommodation of the nursing homes are
given below, with the number of inspections made during the
year:—
Mental nursing homes (2) 162 beds
Mother and baby homes (3) 53 beds
Other nursing homes (4) 72 beds
Inspections by medical and nursing officers 18
Inspections by public health inspectors 20
Hairdressers and Barbers
During the year the Minister of Housing and Local Government
confirmed the new Bye-laws relating to hairdressers and barbers
made by the Council under Section 77 of the Public Health Act,
1961, and Article 10 (2) of the London Government Order, 1965.
These Bye-laws lay down standards of cleanliness in hairdressers
and barbers establishments.
During the year 398 inspections of such premises were made.
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act, 1949
This Act gives the Council power to require steps to be taken to
eradicate and, where possible, to prevent infestation by rats and
mice. These duties are carried out by the Rodent Officer assisted
by Rodent Operatives.
All infestations coming to light, whether by way of complaint or
otherwise, are systematically investigated and appropriate action
is taken. Where the cause of the trouble is obviously defective
drains or other defects in the building, the owner is called upon to
effect the necessary repairs. This aspect of the work involves close
co-operation between the Rodent Control Staff and the Public