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55
With the great increase in the proportion of old people in the community,
the provision of meals for them has become a valuable ancillary to the general
health services undertaken in their behalf, and steps should be taken to ensure
that the present arrangements for the supply of meals to old people be
re-organised so as to bring them into line with our knowledge of the principles
and modern practice of hygiene.
Recommendations.
Being underground, the natural lighting and ventilation are deficient.
The artificial lighting is adequate, but mechanical ventilation should be
provided, especially near the cooking ranges.
The concrete floor is defective, and the surface should be repaired so as
to facilitate cleansing.
The plaster is defective and flaking on the walls above the sinks, and
should be made good.
An additional cupboard is required, and there should be provided an
additional galvanised refuse bin with close-fitting lid.
PREVENTION OF FOOD POISONING IN
SCHOOL CANTEENS
Daring the year 1954 some 4,120 pupils attending Education Authority
Schools in Leyton partook of 820,580 meals; in addition some 11,700 pupils
drank 2,313,498 issues of milk.
It is therefore evident that the Education Authority is directly responsible
for the largest catering undertaking in the Borough, and proper that its
catering establishments (the School Canteens) should be subject to inspection
by the Medical Officer of Health and his sanitary staff.
In the section of this Report devoted to the School Health Service
will be found (pages 151 to 153) an additional special report to the Education
Authority under the title " Prevention of Food Poisoning in School Canteens".
PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
OFFICE ACCOMMODATION
In July, 1946, the Leyton Borough Council decided (Minute 2513) to
build a new Main Health Centre, supplementary to the existing Centres at
Leyton Green and Park House, in which accommodation would be allocated
for the administrative offices of the Health Department.
In August, 1948, without any opportunity for previous consideration
by any of the three Committees concerned with the work of the Health
Department, the administrative offices of the Health Department were
transferred from the Town Hall to accommodation known officially as
"the premises at the rear of 280 High Road ".
Before the move took place a verbal undertaking was given that provision
would be made for ventilation and natural lighting in the basement; but
to-day after repeated complaints and promises over a period of more than
six years the dampness of the basement and its unsuitability even for storage,
is worse than before.