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 1952
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Willesden]
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| Trade | No. in Borough | Applications received | Certificates issued | Deferred or refused |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker | 38 | 12 | 4 | 8 |
| Bread and confectionery | 38 | 7 | 5 | 2 |
| Butcher | 114 | 48 | 41 | 7 |
| Cafe or restaurant | 149 | 70 | 45 | 25 |
| Dairy | 10 | 5 | 5 | — |
| Fishmonger or fish-fryer | 61 | 18 | 11 | 7 |
| Greengrocer and fruiterer | 127 | 14 | 12 | 2 |
| Grocer and general store | 315 | 158 | 132 | 26 |
| Ice cream and sweets | 181 | 50 | 38 | 12 |
| Works canteen | 110 | 32 | 30 | 2 |
| Food factory | 14 | 8 | 8 | - |
| Totals | 1,157 | 422 | 331 | 91 |
Improvements in Premises
Most of the 1950 and 1951 contraventions of the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, and Food Handling Bye-laws have now been remedied. A further 103 traders were encouraged to provide constant hot water, but there are still 55 with an unsatisfactory supply. Traders complied with requests made or notices served by the sanitary inspectors without legal action.
| Premises unsatisfactory on 31.12.51 | 174 | |||||
| Unsatisfactory during the year | 261 | |||||
| Premises made satisfactory during the year | 351 | |||||
| Unsatisfactory on 31.12.52 | 84 | |||||
| Inspections | 2,747 | |||||
| Re-visits | 1,582 | |||||
| Total | 4,329 | |||||
| Defects | Outstanding at 31.12.51 | During the year | Total | Remedied during year | Outstanding at 31.12.52 | |
| Inadequate lighting and ventilation | 4 | 11 | 15 | 10 | 5 | |
| Constant hot water not provided | 126 | 32 | 158 | 103 | 55 | |
| Inadequate refuse storage | 1 | 35 | 36 | 30 | 6 | |
| Insufficient sanitary accommodation | 12 | 7 | 19 | 10 | 9 | |
| Inadequate storage | 8 | 19 | 27 | 26 | 1 | |
| Defective walls and ceilings | 28 | 47 | 75 | 67 | 8 | |
| Dirty walls and ceilings | 58 | 123 | 181 | 163 | 18 | |
| Dirty hand towels | 1 | 44 | 45 | 44 | 1 | |
| Generally bad conditions | 5 | 13 | 18 | 11 | 7 | |
| Any other defects | 69 | 176 | 245 | 203 | 42 | |
| Totals | 312 | 507 | 819 | 667 | 152 | |
Cafes, Restaurants and Canteens
There has been a further improvement in the standards of hygiene in restaurants and canteens.
Another 8 premises were provided with a constant supply of hot water, leaving only 5 with an unsatisfactory
supply. 48 defective and dirty walls were repaired and redecorated.
Education in Food Hygiene
Lectures with film shows, film strips, and specimen bacteriological cultures have been given to food
traders, social and political organisations, staffs of dairies and industrial canteens, and school leavers.
Two series of three weekly lectures were given to groups of food traders and their staffs at Harlesden
Library and Willesden Green Co-operative Hall.
Each series consisted of:—
1. A general talk on food hygiene by the Medical Officer of Health.
2. Film—"Another Case of Poisoning"—and exhibition followed by a talk by the Chief Sanitary Inspector.
3. Film strip—"Hygiene for the Food Handler" and lecture given by the sanitary inspector in charge of food
hygiene.
The lectures were held on Tuesdays from 5—5.30 p.m., a time suggested by the food traders as
most convenient for releasing their staff. Traders in the two districts were approached in a shop-to-shop
canvass and were then sent a personal letter.
Notices of "Wash your hands" and "Exclusion of dogs from food shops", which have been distributed
widely, are provided free by the Guild and the Borough Council.