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21
The granting or renewal of a licence is subject to the authority being
satisfied as to the suitability of the person, the suitability of the premises
and the mode of conduct of the establishment. In addition the licence
may be refused in respect of any establishment at which special treatment
is administered by any person who does not possess such technical
qualifications as may be reasonably necessary. As to this, establishments
at which treatment is provided by members of the Chartered Society of
Massage and Medical Gymnastics are already exempt from the provisions
of this part of the Act. On the other hand the application made for
approval to a bye-law which would limit treatment in licensed premises
to those holding specific qualifications was not acceded to. Unless
stronger powers are to be given to authorities to enable them to exercise
some control over the standard of treatment, it would perhaps be preferable
if authorities did not assume any responsibility for the licensing of
such premises. The object of supervision when these powers were first
granted to the earlier authorities who applied to possess them was not
so much to ensure a satisfactory standard of treatment as to control the
use of the premises. The present position is that those providing treatment
can quite correctly claim to be licensed by the local authority, a
claim which would lead those contemplating attendance for treatment
perhaps to read more into this than is justified in to-day's circumstances.
During the year 19 premises were licensed. In addition there were
3 premises used by members of the Chartered Society.
Up to 1939, the public health ambulances were stationed at the
various fire stations, being manned by members of the Fire Brigade.
Some time after the establishment of the National Fire Service, these
arrangements were stopped, the ambulances being then maintained
by personnel of the Civil Defence Ambulance Service. On the disbanding
of the Civil Defence organization, the ambulance service passed to the
administrative control of the Surveyor. For ease of administration the
vehicles had been grouped at one central station. Since the termination
of hostilities the ambulances have again been stationed at the central
fire station, though manned by Council personnel who devote their entire
time to these duties.
The fleet comprises four ambulances and one in reserve, and one
sitting case car.
PUBLIC HEALTH AMBULANCE SERVICE.