View report page

8
It is pleasing to report a relatively good year in the district in respect
of infectious diseases. The number of cases notified during the year fell as
compared with the figure for 1961 and with the exception of pulmonary
tuberculosis there were no deaths. In the case of tuberculosis, notifications
of cases in the district fell to 121 with 5 deaths, as compared with 152
cases and 11 deaths in 1961.
The number of occupied houses and flats increased by 331 during
the year. In addition, more people improved their living accommodation
by making use of the Standard Improvement Grants to provide themselves
with bath, washbasin, hot water supply and decent food stoiage
space. Most of the applications for grants have come from owner
occupied houses and one would wish to see even more people, owners and
landlords, taking advantage of these grants and so improving many of
the sub-standard houses in the district. These amenities are not now
considered as luxuries, but as necessities of good healthy living. People are
becoming much more conscious of the importance of these minimum
health standards and this awareness must reflect in no small way in
improving the general state of health of the district.
On the side of slum clearance, however, progress has again been slow
and many people still occupy condemned houses which though already
represented still remain to be dealt with. However, as a result of the
Council's decision to appoint a Borough Architect with a completely
re-organised and new department, one looks forward in anticipation to a
complete and stimulating change in this depressing slum clearance
situation.
During April Mr. B. H. White retired after 25 years service with the
Department as Shops Acts Inspector. He joined the staff in 1937 coming
from the Borough of Ipswich, where he had held a similar appointment.
He carried out his duties in a most consciencious manner and was highly
thought of by all who knew him. With Mrs. White he is now enjoying
retirement in Hampshire.
In November the department said farewell to Mr. A. C. Groom, the
Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector, who retired after 45 years in
Local Government service. Starting as a trainee in the Borough of Ealing
he joined the old Harrow-on-the-Hill Urban District Council in 1925 as a
sanitary inspector and transferred to the Harrow Urban District Council
when it was formed in 1934. Mr. Groom is to be congratulated on a good
job of work well done and best wishes for a long and happy retirement
go to both Mr. and Mrs. Groom from all members of the department. At
the same time we would like to welcome Mr. H. Drabble, appointed from
within the department, to be the new Deputy Chief Public Health Inspector.
An inspector with the Harrow Council since 1934, Mr. Drabble is
already well known for his zeal, conscientiousness and enthusiasm,
attributes of which I am sure we will see even more evidence in his new
post.