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22
No new public conveniences were opened during 1959.
Nevertheless, an extension to provide accommodation for attendants
was nearing completion at Cotmandene Crescent, St. Paul's Cray,
and plans were well advanced for the construction of a modern
building in the Car Park at St. Johns Road, Sidcup, to replace the
unsatisfactory structure in use there now.
The opening of this will further the policy of installing
attendants where necessary. The first convenience to be dealt with
was that at Westwood Lane, Sidcup, which has been manned for
a substantial part of each day as from April.
At manned conveniences hot water washing facilities are
available free of charge, including the provision of a paper towel,
at all times when open. Whilst personnel are in attendance, a
linen towel may be used for a small charge. The provision of hot
water for hand washing is most desirable and is particularly helpful
to roundsmen and others handling food.
Further the presence of attendants on the premises, for
substantial periods of the day, has proved an effective, even if not
a complete, deterrent to those who would cause damage to the
building and its equipment.
There has been a notable decrease in the amount of malicious
damage suffered not only at Westwood Lane, but at most other
conveniences. It was, nevertheless, necessary to expend the sum
of £171 18s. Id. on remedying the effects of a recorded number of
91 incidents. The evidence points to school children as being the
main perpetrators of this wilful abuse.
The Committee after examining the possibility of making no
charge (by coin locks) for the use of W.C's decided that at least
half the number of these in each section should be "free."
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,
and Dr. Herman of Queen Mary's Hospital, copies and reports on
certain specimens submitted by local practitioners are made
available to me.