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In the section of the Report dealing with tuberculosis, reference is made to
the substantial drop in the number of deaths from this disease during the past few
years. Since 1941, the Woolwich tuberculosis death rate has dropped from one
death per thousand persons to .4 in 1950. This is indeed most encouraging. On
the occasion of the recent visit to the Borough of the mass radiography unit some
16,000 persons were examined.
One of the Council's most important health activities is that of health education
and during 1950 it was possible to increase further the Department's Health Education
work. Following the purchase of a new film projector, a comprehensive winter
programme of informal talks and film sessions on health and allied subjects was
undertaken.
Much of this educational work deals with various aspects of hygiene and the
observance of clean and hygienic practices in the preparation, handling and storage
of food, and simple precautions to be observed in preventing spread of infection.
The talks are designed to present their subject in an interesting and instructive
manner. Towards the end of the year the Council decided to inaugurate a series
of food hygiene lectures to food handlers working in the Borough. Arrangements
were also in hand to give another series of lectures to the canteen staff at one of
the large Woolwich factories and for a further series of lectures to food handlers
in the Eltham district.
With the object of making the lives of old people more comfortable and less
lonely, special attention is being directed by many to the welfare of the elderly.
It is, I believe, important that elderly people, whose numbers are increasing
each year, should be encouraged to live normal independent lives for as long as
possible in their own homes. More than 1,000 visits were paid during the year to
the homes of elderly people in the Borough by the two women sanitary inspectors.
In this way it is possible to help many of those old folk who are living without reasonable
comfort or companionship. Some of these people rely on neighbours and friends
to help them to do their shopping, cooking, write their letters and help them with
other jobs about the house.
The Council has considered what further help it can give to the elderly, and
has given financial assistance to organisations providing meals, and approved a contribution
towards the cost involved in the home visitation of old people and for the
services of a part-time organiser to supervise the regular visitation of the elderly.
A fine new home for the aged, provided by the London County Council in
Plumstead Common Road, was nearing completion at the end of the year. It
provides accommodation for 92 old persons.
During the year discussions have taken place on the resumption of slum clearance
work in the Borough, and the London County Council has now agreed with
the Borough Council's proposal that the clearance and redevelopment of the Lord
Warwick Street Clearance Area (forming part of the larger area known as "the
St. Mary's Redevelopment Area") should be carried out by the Borough Council.
A detailed survey of this area is in hand. The Council has also considered a comprehensive
schedule of further possible clearance areas in the Borough and is keen
to begin slum clearance work again. I hope it will not now be long delayed.
Woolwich has a proud record in the provision of houses. A further 331 new
houses were completed by the Council in 1950 and 127 by private enterprise. Yet
hardly a day passes without one hearing or receiving a letter about some of the
hundreds of families who are living with their in-laws or in one or two furnished
rooms in which they are sharing the kitchen, and most probably the bathroom
(if there is one in the house).
In their efforts to maintain the many older type houses in the Borough in a
reasonable state of repair, the district sanitary inspectors have had a difficult task.
It has become increasingly difficult to get owners to carry out essential repairs.
At a time when the largest number of houses possible must be fit for occupation
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