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Bronchitis and cancer of the lung are the two main diseases which now cause great concern. Both
can be successfully dealt with by reducing the number of cigarettes we smoke and the smoke from our
chimneys, both industrial and domestic.
Much work has been done in getting rid of dirty air in Willesden. The first smokeless zone in
Neasden is now in operation and the second area is being surveyed. A plan has also been adopted to make
at least half of Willesden a smokeless area within the next five years. The Council has co-operated with the
neighbouring borough councils in their plans for clean air.
Many complaints are made during the year against factory chimneys belching forth smoke, and these
are dealt with by the department. A successful meeting was held with industrialists, British Railways, etc., for
a full discussion on these problems, and later a very successful exhibition was well attended by the public.
The control of power stations was transferred from the local authority to the Alkali Inspectorate on
the 1st June, 1958. The Council, together with many other authorities, protested strongly against this, and it
has become abundantly clear that the Alkali Inspectorate have not the staff to carry out this important work.
In addition, it is now more difficult to exert local pressure when things go wrong. However, the public health
inspectors still supervise smoke and grit emission from the power stations in co-operation with the local
Alkali Inspector.
The Council have been concerned with the increase in radiation in the atmosphere and have
approached the county council to start a monitoring service.
Health education to bring the dangers of cigarette smoking to the notice of school children and
workers in factories has been extended during the year. Much more research is needed, however, to help
people to give up smoking. Many generally want to do so, but find it difficult. However, one of the simplest
ways of dealing with this problem is for parents, teachers, doctors, and all responsible people to discourage
school children from smoking cigarettes. If the habit is not formed, it will not be difficult to break.
The Willesden Home Safety Committee has done extremely valuable work during the year in making
the public aware of the dangers of fire and of other hazards in the home.
The battle against tuberculosis is being won, but much remains to be done. Improvements in housing
and nutrition will certainly help. The vaccination of school leavers has now been proceeding for many
years, and must also be slowly having its effect. Special attention is paid to the factories and the Mass X-ray
Units make frequent visits throughout the year. Here again, health education has played a large part in
making people aware of the dangers of tuberculosis, and so helping to avoid them. Factory managements and
employees are now more sympathetic to ex-patients of tuberculosis, and their re-employment is easier than
in the past.
The Council is now proceeding rapidly with the rehousing of tenants in the worst areas of the
borough, and this will undoubtedly lead to a general improvement in health. Slum clearance surveys were
carried out in six areas. In addition, a survey was made of houses in the Stonebridge proposed redevelopment
area. The Ministry of Housing and Local Government held public inquiries on two slum clearance areas.
The work under the Rent Act is now almost completed, but there has been no great improvement
in the conditions of living of the tenants in the borough as a result of this legislation.
Much work has been done by the Council under the scheme of the occupational health service for
improving conditions of borough council employees.
The Council and many voluntary organisations have been concerned with the care of old people and
they worked closely together to extend their services. The Willesden Old People's Welfare Committee was
formed in April, with a membership of 19, ten of whom represented the Willesden Borough Council. The
Council has already set aside £3,000 for the use of this committee, which is already developing many schemes
for helping the aged. It is hoped soon to be able to provide a chiropody service which is most urgently
needed. It is anomalous that there should be a free service for children and expectant and nursing mothers,
yet none for the people who require it most.
There has been an extension of health services in the area during the year; Pound Lane Clinic was
officially opened in March, and already plans for two new clinics and a day nursery have been completed.
As a result of the extension of the services and improvement in staffing, dental care was extended to all age
groups in the schools.
There was a large increase in the waiting list of day nurseries following the closure of Crest Road.
Mothers found great difficulty in placing their babies under proper care while they went to work.
Co-operation with the hospital authorities was strengthened; in particular, there is a close link with
the Paediatrician and the physicians of Diabetic Clinics. An experiment was carried out during the year for
home nurses to continue in the home the hospital consultants' treatment of patients with varicose veins.
Three general practitioners worked at different times in the local authority clinics. It is hoped to
extend this work and so provide a better basis for the understanding of each other's problems.
Once again, this has been a most interesting year for public health in Willesden, and my sincere
thanks go to councillors, members of the staff and public health inspectors who have played such an important
part in the health and welfare of the people of the borough.
I have the honour to be,
Your obedient servant,
S. LEFF,
Medical Officer of Health..