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The scope of the work undertaken by the male Inspectors
includes the supervision of the sanitary arrangements of all
premises, dust collection, lodging-houses, slaughter-houses,
offensive trades, workrooms, van dwellers, and meat and other
foods. The administration of the Foods and Drugs Act, is
undertaken by the County Authorities. The female officer is
mainly concerned with the sanitary arrangement of schools,
the administration of the Notification of Births Act, and duties
relative to the Maternity Centre.
Hospital Accommodation.—The new administrative block
was occupied at the beginning of the year and the Medical
Officer of Health became resident at the Hospital in May. The
accommodation provided has been increased from 50 to 65 beds
or one to every 500 of the population, a figure that is in excess
of requirements of the Central Authorities. From January to
September the Lower Hospital was temporarily closed, as the
accommodation at the Upper Hospital sufficed for all needs.
The laundry unfortunately gave considerable trouble, and towards
the end of the year its capabilities were severely taxed.
The question of replacing this unsuitable building by one on
more modern lines should be considered; certain improvements
of an inexpensive nature might be made at the Lower Hospital
so that the facilities for out-door exercise during inclement
weather may be obtained. The staff has changed considerably
during the year owing to an attempt to keep a reasonable
balance between the numbers of patients and nurses. The
number of patients and staff for the first half-year were approximately
equal; for the second half there were two patients for
every member of the staff including the Medical Officer. The
hospital cannot be said to have been understaffed.
The cost of the hospital for the year was £2,122 16s. 6d.,
against £1,623 12s. 10d., or approximately an increase ot