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7
With the evident success of the Clean Air Campaign in Greater
London, where pollution by smoke has been reduced by fourfifths
and that from sulphur dioxide halved in the past fifteen
years, the public is rightly becoming increasingly intolerant of
other environmental nuisances such as unpleasant smells - the
odours from a glucose plant receiving much attention during the
year - contamination of the soil by dangerous chemicals or
industrial waste, and aircraft noise. These are but a few
examples of the growing community awareness of the need to
balance the advantages of technological progress against the
price to be paid in terms of unedifying pollution of the environment.
To end on a progressive and uncontroversial note the
incontinent laundry service expanded appreciably (5,749 bags
each containing about 10 lb of soiled linen being collected,
laundered and returned as opposed to 4,739 bags in 1971) and
much needed improvements to the mortuary and coroner's court
Sheepcote Lane were approved by the Council at the beginning
of the year. Great credit is due to the Chief Public Health
Inspector, Mr.Winton, for his able leadership of the environmental
health division in an exceptionally busy twelve months.
His election in September to the Executive Council of the
National Society for Clean Air was a richly deserved recognition
of his contribution over many years to the cause of a healthier
environment.
Increasing attention is being paid throughout the world to the
implications of population growth in terms of both human wellbeing
and environmental conservation. In this context family
planning is rightly regarded as a key service and steady progress
was achieved in this vital sphere in Wandsworth in 1972, thanks
to the efforts of the medical, nursing, administrative and clerical
staff of the South-West London Branch of the Family Planning
Association, acting as the agent of the Council. Three new
weekly sessions were introduced during the year - one each at
the Doddington and Stormont Child Health Centres and, a welcome
innovation, at St.George's Hospital, Tooting. The numbers of new
patients seen at clinics, of total clinic attendances, and of new
domiciliary patients all increased impressively (from 3,336 to
4,109; 20,318 to 23,935; and 154 to 192 respectively compared
with 1971) thanks no doubt in part to an intensive publicity
campaign launched in the spring. However the increase (27%) in
the attendance of new patients was less than half of that
experienced in Lambeth following the introduction of a completely
free service in that Borough. Accordingly the Council decided to
abolish all charges in relation to the attendance of local residents
at Family Planning Association Clinics within or without Wands-