View report page

94
In connection with the health visitor's work as regards consumption cases, it
may be mentioned that during the past two years she was instrumental in obtaining
sanatorium treatment for some 15 persons and for 6 others long periods of treatment
in hospitals or convalescent homes. In 3 other cases private arrangements were
made for open-air treatment, and in 23 cases beds and bedding were supplied so as
to ensure separate sleeping accommodation.
Since ophthalmia neonatorum became notifiable the health visitor has followed
the notifications up, so as to make sure that the infants received proper and prompt
treatment—a matter of great importance, as the disease not infrequently results in
permanent loss of sight if not speedily and properly treated.
Your Committee may perhaps be reminded that a health visitor has no statutory
authority as regards entering houses. It depends upon the person visited
whether admission to the home is given. A good deal of tact is necessary, therefore,
in connection with the work. Visits cannot be hurriedly made if they are to be of
service and be productive of good results. I hope the foregoing statement will be
sufficient to show the character of the work now being done in the Borough by
health visiting, and the need which, in my opinion, exists for more of it. I may
add that I believe the work in this direction is already much appreciated amongst
the people.
4.—CLERICAL STAFF.
The staff includes three clerks and a general assistant. Each of these officers
has assigned to him certain regular duties in the routine of the department, for the
due performance of which he is held responsible. These duties may be briefly stated
as follows:—
The Senior Clerk (Mr. Pratt) attends to the general statistical work, most of the
correspondence of the Medical Officer of Health, the preparation of the regular
reports for the Health Committee and the registers which have to be kept as to
milk purveyors, houses let in lodgings, the Housing and Town Planning Act, 1909,
and others. He also does the clerical work relating to estimates, requisitions, material
for use in the department, accounts, petty cash and the payment of wages. He is
present in the office whenever the Health Committee meets, and is generally responsible
for the supervision of the office.
The Second Clerk (Mr. Abbott) has charge of all clerical work under the Factory
and Workshops Acts, such as keeping the register of workshop, the outworkers'
lists and the. correspondence with the Factory Department and the various employers
of labour in the Borough. He prepares the major portion of Intimation and all
the Statutory Notices under the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, and keeps the
records as to houses dealt with under that Act. He also prepares summonses which
may be taken under the Act, and does most of the correspondence relating to
nuisances or insanitary conditions. He keeps the register as to combined drains
and has the preparation of agendas for the Health Committee.