London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Beckenham 1958
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Beckenham]
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I am very grateful for the following Report and Tables from
Mr. G. A. Webber, Chief Public Health Inspector, which sets out the
work of the Inspectors during the year.
REPORT ON THE WORK OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH
INSPECTORS FOR THE YEAR 1958
One vacancy existed in the Inspectorial staff at the commencement
of the year, which was filled in March, 1958, by the appointment of
Mr. H. J. Rogers, and for the remainder of the year, we had the benefit
of a full establishment.
Since 1952 there has not been a complete calendar year with a full
establishment of Inspectors. The full continuity of inspection routine
has thus been affected.
SECTIONS C, D, E.
Statistical information relating to the work of the Inspectors js appended :—
| Housing—Inspection of Dwelling Houses during the Year. Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for housing defects (under Public Health or Housing Acts) | 1,567 |
| Number of inspections made for the purpose | 2,809 |
| Number of dwelling-houses (included under sub-head (1) above) which were inspected and recorded under the Housing Consolidated Regulations, 1925 | 89 |
| Number of inspections made for the purpose | 89 |
| Number of dwelling-houses (exclusive of those referred to under the following sub-head) found not to be in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation | 276 |
| Number of dwelling-houses found to be in a state so dangerous or injurious to health as to be unfit for human habitation | 0 |
| Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which informal notices were served | 276 |
| Number of dwelling-houses in which defects were remedied after service of informal notices | 251 |
| Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which formal notices were served requiring defects to be remedied | 25 |
| Number of dwelling-houses in which defects were remedied after service of formal notices : (a) by owners | 25 |
| (6) by Local Authority in default of owners | 0 |
| Number of complaints received | 1,228 |
| Number of initial visits | 5,440 |
| Number of re-visits | 1,954 |
| Total visits and re-visits | 7,394 |
Nuisances Remedied
| Structural Defects of properties—External | 115 |
| Internal | 196 |
| Insanitary conditions other than vermin | 42 |
| Verminous conditions | 11 271 |
| Choked drains | |
| Other drainage defects | 177 |
| Defective sanitary appliances | 20 |
| Insufficient or unsuitable water supply | 2 |
| Absence of dustbin accommodation | 7 |
| Offensive accumulations | 8 |