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13
ol how often it is found possible for a District Public Health Inspector
purely by advice and persuasion to transform someone who is in fact
practically a social outcast (perhaps because of habits and outlook) into
a useful and appreciated member of society. Scarcely a year goes by
without an annual review bringing into the forefront specific and striking
examples of this kind.
So far as concerns the re-housing of aged persons dispossessed
possibly from sub-standard houses, it is essential so far as possible that
they be transferred to their new surroundings with a minimum of upset.
The aged naturally are less resilient to change and to alter the surroundings
of a lifetime possibly is not a task lightly to be undertaken. It may
safely be said I think that in Hornchurch re-housing of these persons
is done after a full enquiry into their circumstances and with a view to
minimising any upset from the change.
Home Safety.
I remain closely associated with the work of the Home Safety
Committee and increasing experience confirms me in the belief that apart
from what might almost be termed ' scratching the surface ' at local level
I believe it to be imperative that a greater sense of urgency be shown
centrally not only by the safety organisations but by any Ministry concerned
in taking steps to ensure that the local field is encouraged to be
more receptive to the efforts of local volunteers. Especially so is this
perhaps the case in the sphere of education. It remains to me a source
of wonderment why a local Sanitary Authority should not have the same
flexibility of action in dealing with the problem of Home Safety as does
a local Health Authority. It only remains to be said that the local
District Council is exceedingly generous in its attitude to Home Safety
and their liberal subsidy goes far to maintain the work of the local
Committee at a useful level. It would be interesting and perhaps salutary
to think what might happen to the prevention of Home Accidents
campaign locally if the Council decided to take a less enlightened view.
The strength of a Home Safety Committee even at district level must
surely repose not only and perhaps not primarily in its financial position
but in the interest and support accorded to it both in theory and practice
by the individual members of its constituent organisations.
National Assistance Act, 1948.
No formal action was taken under Section 47 of this Act during
the year.