View report page

PUBLIC HEALTH
GENERAL
Table I lists the number of visits and inspections made during the year
with regard to the Public Health Inspectors' work. The visits are divided
under various sub-headings and the figures for 1956 are given for purposes
of comparison. There has been a reduction of some 500 visits made
in the year and the number of complaints received from residents of
the district has been less, which naturally affects the number of visits made.
NUISANCES AND SANITARY DEFECTS
The number of visits under this heading show a reduction on 1957.
These visits generally relate to the primary inspections and subsequent
visits following complaints made by residents. They also include any other
visits which may be made as a result of information or knowledge regarding
the sanitary conditions in the district.
During 1958 the number of complaints made have been less and consequently
the preliminary notices served during the year as listed in
Table II is also less.
Table III which shows a list of repairs carried out as a result of notices
served on the owners, however, remains very much the same as in previous
years. In addition to the figures in Table III a considerable number of
defects in premises have been remedied by action taken under the Rent
Act, 1957, that is by the issue of Certificates of Disrepair or the acceptance
of undertakings from landlords. If this figure was added to those in Table
IIIa considerable increase in the improvements effected to premises would
be shown.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND FOOD POISONING
The number of visits made with regard to Infectious Diseases during the
year is practically the same as in 1957. This is mainly because the number
of cases of Scarlet Fever and other diseases which are visited by the Inspectors
is very similar to the previous year.
There was only one Food Poisoning case during the year, which is
very low, but any case of Food Poisoning is always carefully followed up
and every endeavour is made to trace the cause.
SCHOOLS, BROOKS AND STREAMS, HAIRDRESSERS AND
BARBERS PREMISES
Inspections made under these headings are largely routine inspections
and they justify very little comment; they do not vary to any great extent
year by year.
VERMINOUS PREMISES
The visits made to verminous premises nowadays are so low owing
to the few premises so infested that any comment is unnecesary.
Page Twenty