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11
patients were on National Assistance the Council assumed financial
responsibility.
Laundry Service for the Incontinent.
In November, 1955, I submitted a report to the Public Health
Committee recommending that consideration be given to the need for
laundry facilities for certain old people in the area whose condition is
such that they cannot attend to elementary human needs ; and further
recommended that this Service could be set up under the provisions of
Section 84 of the Public Health Act, 1936.
The Committee endorsed my recommendation and in December,
1956, the premises situated at the rear of 280 High Road, Leyton, were
adapted for the purpose. An Electrolux Washing Machine taking a load
of 22lb, a hydro-extractor and laundry truck were installed, together with
a gas drying-cabinet. The cost of the scheme including equipment was
approximately £765.
The Service came into operation in January, 1957, and is operated
by the Handymen attached to the Department. There is no doubt that
the Service is of inestimable value to the relatives or friends of patients
who have difficulty with the laundering of fouled linen and personal
clothing.
Under the provisions of the Act it is obvious that the Service is
only available for the incontinent and is not a general laundry service.
Staff—Medical.
There have been no changes in the medical personnel of the Local
Sanitary Authority during the year.
Assistant County Medical Officers of Health—Experience in the Duties
of a Medical Officer of Health.
During the year the Council approved my suggestion that Dr. T. M.
Childs, an Assistant County Medical Officer on the Health Area
establishment, be given the opportunity to gain experience in the duties
of a Medical Officer of Health by accompanying the Medical Officer
of Health and Public Health Inspectors on routine and special visits.
Staff—Sanitary Inspectors/Public Health Inspectors.
The Sanitary Inspectors (Change of Designation) Act, 1956,
receiving royal assent on 2nd August, 1956. This Act provides that Sanitary
Inspectors shall in future be designated Public Health Inspectors.
The Council's authorised establishment comprises the Chief Public
Health Inspector, Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector, and eight
District Public Health Inspectors. For the past three years the Council
has had difficulty in filling and maintaining its establishment of Public
Health Inspectors, and at the time of preparing this report there were
four vacancies.
With a district staff, half of what is officially recorded as adequate, and
with each district inspector responsible for a population double that of
the officialy recorded average for the country as a whole, it is impossible
to operate a comprehensive sanitary service. Your depleted staff are
now almost fully employed dealing with complaints and other matters
requiring urgent day-to-day attention, leaving little, if any, time for less
urgent work and special duties.
The national shortage of Public Health Inspectors has been