View report page

is proving increasingly difficult and more resort is having to be had
to statutory action.
The Clean Food Bye-laws have now been in operation for a full
year and much experience has been obtained in their operation. The
Bye-laws have permitted improvements to be effected at numbers of
premises and much advice given and I am glad to report that the food
traders generally have been willing to co-operate, and resort to legal
action has not so far been found necessary.
An increasing number of representations have been made by
members of the public concerning elderly persons whom they state
are not receiving proper care and attention and are living in insanitary
conditions and urging that they should be removed to institutional
care. The policy, however, has been continued of endeavouring to
help the elderly person to live his own life in his normal surroundings
by the provision of a Home Help and, where necessary, a Home
Nurse, and institutional care has only been sought where the person
concerned has indicated his willingness to be removed and no compulsory
action was taken under Section 47 of the National Assistance
Act of 1948. It should be added that the work of the voluntary
Associations concerned with the care of the elderly is proving of the
utmost value .
In submitting this report I should like to take the opportunity
of thanking the Members of the Council for the interest they have
taken in all matters affecting the public health, and also the members
of my staff for the efficient and successful manner in which they have
carried through a growing volume of work.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
A. FAIRGRIEVE ADAMSON,
Medical Officer of Health.
5