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56
In January, 1949—and again on several occasions since that time—
I have had occasion to draw attention to the unsuitability of the premises;
but, as the accommodation was regarded as being merely a temporary provision
pending the occupation of the new Main Health Centre, no effective
action was taken.
In 1952, when it became apparent that the accommodation was beginning
to qualify for semi-permanent (if not permanent) status, I submitted to two
of the Committees primarily concerned (the Public Health Committee and
the Baths, Halls and Entertainments Committee) the following Report.
THE STATE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICES
I beg to submit these observations on certain aspects of the work of the
Health Department and the extent to which the success or otherwise of the
work depends on the state of the premises in which it is carried out.
In August, 1948, I was notified that the premises behind 280 High Road
(in Sidmouth Road) would be ready in a fortnight for occupation by my Department
(previously accommodated in the Town Hall). Before the move took
place I was assured that provision would be made for the ventilation and natural
lighting of the basement, for the storage of staff cycles, and for the laying out of
surrounding ground in grass and flower beds so as to improve the appearance
of the place from without. In consequence of the amount of stores attacked by
dampness since that time, a belated endeavour is now being made to deal with the
dampness in the basement ; but there is still a lack of other amenities, and in
some respects matters have become worse with the passage of time.
Borough and County Council employees referred for medical examination
have the right to expect that they will not be asked to undress for examination
in inadequately heated rooms where the sounds of hammering are often so loud
that the examining doctor cannot possibly conduct a proper medical examination.
Many members of the public first come into contact with the Health Department
when they attend in response to sanitary notices or warnings in respect of
dirty and insanitary conditions in their homes or catering establishments. Instead
of receiving, as they should, advice and instruction in premises which are an
object lesson in cleanliness, they are bewildered by the apparent inconsistency
of being interviewed by a Senior Sanitary Inspector in a cold, dismal room with
walls and ceilings as dirty as those in their own homes or food premises.
The local Health Authority employs a large staff of domestic helpers. In
my experience these women begin with a high opinion of their vocation, and
every endeavour is made to encourage them to adopt a high standard of cleanliness
in the homes to which they are sent. When they attend at the Health Offices—
as they have to do regularly for briefing—they cannot help seeing the dirty and
dilapitated walls of the entrance hall; and they naturally begin to wonder if
that is the standard of cleanliness of their employing authority.
Section 28 of the National Health Service Act places on local health
authorities and their staffs very definite responsibilities for health education.
The medical, nursing and sanitary staff devote much time to the dissemination of
information and guidance on hygiene in the home; but health talks lose much
of their value as soon as members of the public discover that the Health Department
does not practice what its officers preach. The ideal form of health
education is the efficient administration of the health services by practice as
well as by precept. There is now being displayed in the windows of 280 High
Road a special health exhibit showing some of the dangers of domestic uncleanliness;
and it is hoped that those who have seen the exhibit will refrain from
looking along the Council's passageway at the side of the building. Ever since
my Department took over occupation of "the premises at the rear of 280 High
Road" the precincts of the building have been more like a derelict builder's yard
than those of a public building. Towards the end of last autumn there was
dumped in the entrance hall a consignment of hot-water radiators which have
lain there most of the winter. From time to time the contractor's men have
come for a day or two, after which they have disappeared for weeks at a time;
but meanwhile their equipment and materials have been left lying about the
building, inside and out. Of the making of holes through thick concrete floors