London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Willesden 1949
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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Bathrooms.
One in three Willesden families have no bathroom, and one in four have to share with another family.
Less than half the Willesden families (41 per cent) have a bathroom of their own.
Water Closets.
Approximately one in four families (22 per cent) share a water closet; in dwellings occupied by three or
more families almost three-quarters (68 per cent) share the water closet.
Gardens.
Willesden is poorly equipped with public open spaces—242 acres, as against an estimated need of
1,313 acres—yet one in four families have no garden at all and a large number have to share a garden.
SWIMMING BATHS.
The Borough has three swimming baths—one covered-in bath at Granville Road, open all the year round, and two open-air baths at King Edwards and Gladstone Park Baths,—open from May to September.
Samples of the bath water were taken regularly by the Health Department for bacteriological examination, and the results of these tests were as follows:
| Bath | No. of Samples Taken | No. of Samples Reported as Satisfactory | No. of Samples Reported as Unsatisfactory | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Granville Road | 82 | 80 | 2 | 2.5 |
| Gladstone Park | 27 | 15 | 12 | 44.4 |
| King Edward's Park | 22 | 16 | 6 | 27.3 |
These results showed that the bath water at Gladstone Park Bath was often contaminated, thus
confirming the need to carry out the recommendations of the 1948 Report: To improve the inadequate sanitary
and shower bath facilities, the inefficient chlorination plant and the unsatisfactory surface drainage around
the pool. A new plant introducing break-point chlorination treatment was installed at Gladstone Park at the
close of the summer season. This should improve the standards of water purity, but the additional improvements
are still required.
SANITARY SECTION.
Staff.
In 1948, the authorised establishment for sanitary inspectors was increased from 16 to 19; at December
31st, 1949, the staff consisted of the Chief Sanitary Inspector, the Deputy Chief Sanitary Inspector and 16
District Sanitary Inspectors, with one vacancy.
The additional staff were able to deal more speedily with complaints of nuisances, and increased the
number of inspections in food premises and factories. Work in the repair of sanitary defects of houses was
extended, and the Council authorised an increase in the number of pupil sanitary inspectors from 4 to 6 to assist
the sanitary inspectors by revisiting premises after notices were served. There were 5 pupil sanitary inspectors on
the staff at December 31st, 1949.
One Rodent Officer and 4 operatives were employed to destroy rats and mice in dwelling houses,
factories and other industrial buildings, on bombed sites and waste lands. Two labourers carried out vermin
disinfestation, drain testing and general duties.
SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE AREA.
Inspections:
| 1949 | 1948 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of dwelling houses inspected for housing defects (under P.H.A. or H.A. 1936): | ||
| Number of premises inspected on complaint | 5,971 | 6,898 |
| Number of premises inspected in connection with infectious disease | 10 | 2 |
| Houses inspected—house-to-house—Housing Act, 1936 | 106 | 93 |
| Number of dwelling houses—own observation | 186 | 186 |
| 6,273 | 7,179 | |
| Number of inspections made for the purpose | 32,771 | 30,401 |