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The Public Health Committee is conscious of the importance
of this service and is anxious to take all steps possible to ensure
that full facilities are available to the public. With this in mind,
a decision was made to demolish the small building serving the
High Street, Sidcup area and to provide a convenience worthy of
this important shopping centre.
The Committee were greatly perturbed to learn of the vast
amount of damage, of a malicious nature, which was being caused
at conveniences throughout the district. The great majority of
this was due to hooliganism, and could not have been perpetrated,
with any benefit in mind, to those concerned. Particular centres
of damage included the two conveniences at St. Paul's Cray, that
in the Recreation Ground at Mottingham, and the large building
at Westwood Lane, Sidcup.
A Sub-Committee carried out an exhaustive investigation into
the position and made certain recommendations. Among those of
a short-term nature were the locking of most of the buildings
during the night and the issue of warnings in which the co-operation
of the Press must be acknowledged. The position was much
helped by a successful prosecution of two youths who were
apprehended whilst damaging a wash basin.
As a long term policy it was decided to instal attendants at
certain conveniences during 1959. Thus Westwood Lane, which
had been constructed with accommodation for staff, will be dealt
with first, whilst additions will be built at Cotmandene Crescent,
St. Paul's Cray, to provide rooms for attendants. The new
conveniences at St. John's Road, Sidcup are being designed on a
similar basis.
Hot water washing facilities, so necessary for proper hygiene,
will be available at these three buildings.
LABORATORY SERVICE.
In the detection and control of food poisoning, dysentery and
the enteric fevers, the Laboratory Service is of great importance.
Most medical specimens are sent to the Public Health Laboratory
at Maidstone, and the co-operation of Dr. J. H. C. Walker, the
Director, is willingly given. In cases of urgency, specimens are
examined at the Bromley Hospital Laboratory, and I am again
indebted to Dr. Keall and his staff for this assistance.
Through the courtesy of Dr. Randall of Orpington Hospital,
copies of numerous reports on specimens submitted by local
practitioners, were also made available to me.