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food tradesmen to raise the standard of food hygiene in their premises, in some a
satisfactory standard has still to be attained. New Byelaws have been made, which
should help to bring about a further improvement. These Byelaws cover not only
shops and cafes, but also the sale of food in the open air. However, food cannot
be kept clean by Byelaws alone, and we must continue to instil the habit of
cleanliness into the minds of all food handlers.
Besides the individual efforts of the Sanitary Inspectors to bring about higher
standards of food hygiene, the Council's Health Education Unit is constantly working
to make the public more clean-food conscious. More than 5,000 people
attended health education sessions in the Borough during the year. Emphasis has
this year been placed on the health services provided by the statutory and voluntary
bodies for the benefit of the community. Judging by the number of enquiries made
at the Town Hall there is reason to think that a good deal of this work is not
sufficiently well known. Few members of the public have more than a fragmentary
knowledge of the authorities administering particular services. However, the set-up
of the health services has been one of the most popular subjects discussed at these
sessions.
The number of serious accidents occurring in the home is of concern to
everyone. This type of accident, whilst not so spectacular as the road accident, is
responsible for a great loss of life. It is estimated that over 6,000 people die from
accidents in the home each year, compared with about 5,000 deaths on the road.
Four-fifths of home accident fatalities occur in people over 65 and in children
under five. The Council's Health Education work is being directed more and
more towards giving publicity on the precautions to be taken in order to avoid
these accidents.
In conclusion, I am glad to have this opportunity of expressing my indebtedness
to the Chairman and Members of the Health Committee, as well as to the
Members of the other Committees of the Council for their active interest in all
matters concerned with the work of the Department. I desire also to thank
members of the staff for their full co-operation and loyal assistance.
I am,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
T. STANDRING.
HEALTH DEPARTMENT STAFF
Medical Officer of Health—
T. Standring, m.d., b.s., d.p.h., m.r.c.s., l.r.c.p.
Administrative and Clerical—
Chief Administrative Assistant—T. H. Prescott.
Senior Clerk—A. Healey.
Clerical Assistants—
R. E. Sweett
R. H. Thomas
Mrs. E. C. Cooper
Miss M. H. Rentall
Miss M. N. Prigmore
C. Burgess (resigned 27th April, 1952)
G. C. Ryan
J. E. Kay
D. M. Gibbs (appointed 19th May, 1952)
K. E. Doubleday (temporary) (with H.M. Forces)
Miss E. E. Phillips
B. Ordell (temporary; appointed 21st August, 1952)
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