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3.
It is particularly gratifying to note the decrease in Dysentery notifications
from 252 in 1955 to 92 in 1956 (Can we dare to hope that this is linked with the
propaganda on the importance of handwashing before eating and after toilet?).
The bulk of the Social Services (especially for old people) continues to be
financed by the Borough Council itself, and is run by the Council's staff in this
department. This is the only Borough even now, where this is the case on such a
wide scale, so that we are particularly proud of the work being done, as shown in
Section V (pag 22) of this report. Much help for the Council's Holiday and Rest
Home at Copthorne in Sussex has come from King Edward's Hospital Fund since the
liaison was made in 1950, and we are all grateful for that, not only from the financial
angle, but also from the fact that this keeps the home fully occupied during
almost the whole year as opposed to the normal holiday poak periods, as was the case
when only Shoreditch people visited there. During 1956 the Fund paid half the cost
of a new luxury coach for use to and from the Home,
The disinfection work in the Borough received literally a new lease of life
during the year, when the old steam disinfectors were replaced by a modern formalin
plant which not only does the work cheaper and without atmospheric pollution, but
does not damage any type of goods.
The Sanitary Inspectors (Change of Designation) Act, 1956, has converted them
into Public Health Inspectors, but has not yet filled the gaps in their ranks here,
While two inspectors were lost to us, one fresh inspector came, and is working very
efficiently as a Food & Drugs and Food Premises Inspector, Thus with two inspectors
devoted to this cause during 1956, the implementing of the new Food Hygiene Regulations
has been thorough, and the educational effect greater from direct personal
contact than would have been possible by any other means such as guilds (other
measures were of course adopted also (page 44),
In addition to 3 student P.H.Is, the department began a paid pupillage scheme
with 3 entrants during 1956, but without the excessively conscientious work of the
Chief and Deputy Chief Public Health Inspectors all our work must have deteriorated.
The Rodent work in the Borough was very successful, on the one hand by the use
of a new method of sewer treatment (for the first time in any London Borough) and on
the other hand by arranging contracts with business firms for the first time.
It is a pleasure to have this public opportunity to thank the staff for their
splendid work under difficult conditions, during the year, as well as to thank the
Council members who have supported our efforts. Of people outside the Borough,
special thanks are due to King Edward's Hospital Fund and to my colleagues in the various
Health Authorities throughout the country.
Yours faithfully,
B. BRAODBENT,
Medical Officer of Health,