View report page

7
The work of the Bexley, Erith and Crayford Home
Safety Committee continued with the task of spreading
information in regard to causes and prevention of accidents
in the home. The Rotary Club of Bexley, during the year,
presented an exhibition stand to this Committee which is
being used to disseminate propaganda in the form of leaflets
and posters over the area. The stand was made by the Staff
and boys of the Westwood County Secondary School and our
thanks are due both to the Rotary Club and the School for
their help.
The future of the health services in the Borough is, clearly
linked up with the three recent White Papers dealing with
the reorganisation of Local Government, particularly with
the White Paper of May, 1957. on Functions of County
Councils and County District Councils in England and
Wales. While the population of Erith is somewhat below the
figure of 60,000 required for automatic delegation, the past
record of the Borough in regard to the administration of
health services (including the school health service) is such
that it is reasonable to suppose that an application for delegation
might well be successful. There can be little doubt
that the type of delegation foreshadowed in the White Paper
would provide a more truly local service for the inhabitants
of the Borough without loss of efficiency and there is reason
to believe that economies in administration would allow the
services to be carried on without increased cost.
I have, previously, drawn attention to the fact that the
Council has made representations to the Minister of Agriculture
Fisheries and Food that Local Authorities should be
permitted to make charges for meat inspection. This is an
important matter in view of the fact that Erith has two
private slaughterhouses which lay a heavy burden of responsibility
for meat inspection on the Public Health Inspectors.
I am happy to record that in accordance with Circular FSH.
2/57 the Ministry have now approved a scheme for the
reimbursement of authorities like Erith who have the supervision
of slaughterhouses providing meat, not only for local
consumption but for many areas outside the Borough boundaries,
which will ensure that at least part of the cost of meat
inspection will be refunded.
In conclusion I wish to thank the Chairman and Memersof
the Health Committee for their support and encouragement,
and the Chief Public Health Inspector. Chief Clerk
and all members of the Health Department for their excellent
service during the year.
I am,
Your obedient servant.
JOHN LANDON,
Medical Officer of Health.