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The cost of the work of disinfestation at business premises, amounting to £802 5s. 2d., was recovered from
the occupiers.
In the case of private dwellings and Borough Council premises, £549 5s. 9d., i.e., 50 per cent of the
cost, was recovered under Grant Aid from the Ministry under the terms of Circular N.S.I9.
Co-operation has been obtained with the Engineer's Department in regard to the opening of pavements
where suspected outbreaks and faults have been detected in defective drainage systems.
The work of sewer disinfestation is carried out by the Borough Engineer's Department.
There has been an increase in the number of complaints compared with last year, and approximately
25 per cent more work was done at business premises and 7 per cent at private dwellings.
Bombed Sites:
During the year numerous complaints were received from residents in the Borough as to nuisances
arising from bombed sites. Where nuisances were found, action was taken if the responsible person could be
ascertained, but in other cases the Borough Engineer removed the material causing the nuisance. Rodent
infestations were dealt with by the Rodent Destruction staff where found necessary.
The Medical Officer of Health reported to the Council on all the bombed sites in the Borough, and the
following summary indicates the extent of this difficult problem:
Number of sites adequately fenced 48 (29.8 per cent)
Number of sites—fencing in poor condition or inadequate 39 (24.2 per cent)
Number of sites unfenced 61 (37.9 per cent)
Number of sites—building in progress 13 (8.1 per cent)
161
Number of sites where nuisance from accumulations of
rubbish, debris, etc. 113 (70.2 per cent)
Number of sites clear of nuisance 35
Number of sites—building in progress 13
161
Number of sites where alleged rat or mice infestation 17
Number of sites treated by Rodent Officer 3
Persons in need of Care and Attention, Section 47 of the National Assistance Act, 1948:
The attention of the Medical Officer of Health is usually drawn, by relatives, to a person who is in need
of care and attention.
A visit by the health visitor and sanitary inspector is then arranged to determine the possibilities of the
provision of care and attention in the home with the assistance of relatives or neighbours, a home help and/or
-a district nurse. If it is decided that institutional care is essential, the first thing which is considered is whether
the person agrees to accept a vacancy, if a place can be found for him, otherwise Section 47 has to be invoked.
The question of whether he is infirm or sick and thus requires institutional or hospital accommodation is
determined in difficult cases with the assistance of the general practitioner and the welfare officer. The general
practitioner is invariably consulted with regard to any provision to be made for any person he has under his
care, and his advice in border-line cases of infirm or sick has been invaluable. The degree of urgency is then
determined and the local welfare and hospital officials have been most co-operative in arranging for the
admission for special cases referred to them.
Owing to the shortage of accommodation in the hospitals and in the hostels for the aged and infirm, a
great deal of assistance has had to be given in the home by the provision of home helps and home nurses. In
many instances relatives have had to care for aged persons in overcrowded homes in very trying circumstances.
During the year 1948, the necessary Court Order was obtained in one case, that of a man aged 78 years,
"who was removed to the Redhill House on September 1st, 1948, and remained there at the end of the year.