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8
The problems associated with the rearing and education of a
handicapped child are manifold—so much so that the earlier
observation and advice, and even treatment can be instituted, the
better the end result for the child and very often for the parents
as well. The whole exercise must be a combined operation between
parent, general practitioner, specialist and local health authority
personnel.
Health Education is another facet of the work of the Department
which continued to receive much attention during the year.
The fact that many organisations asked for talks and lectures on a
variety of subjects associated with health is an encouraging sign
that public interest is still being aroused. The short talk is of value
in "preaching the Gospel" regarding healthy living but I consider
the "question and answer" session at the end to be of far more
value. The answering of a person's problem—in other words—the
individual approach is to my mind of more value than the general
talk to the mass.
Perusal of the statistical summary in the section on "Sanitary
Circumstances of the Area" will give some indication of the volume
of work carried out by your Public Health Inspectors during the
year. Many visits arise out of inspections laid down by a statute
but, again, many originate as a result of complaints or requests for
advice on some particular matter associated with environmental
health. This work, though routine in nature, is of the more importance
by the very fact that it is "routine." It is only by this constant
vigilance that the health of a district is maintained at a high level.
During the year, it became apparent that the survey work
required under the Clean Air Act was increasing to such an extent
that the routine hygiene inspections were suffering as a result. This
matter was brought to the Council's attention, together with a
recommendation that two Clear Air Technical Assistants be employed
to cover this aspect of the work. This was approved and
the appointment of Miss Dimmock and Mr. Blackburn to the staff
as Technical Assistants has done much to alleviate the problem
and to allow a more even distribution of the work load.
In May, Mr. Charles Russell, the attendant at the Peel Road
Mortuary, retired after serving local government in the district for
42 years. Mr. Russell looked after the mortuary in a most
excellent and praiseworthy manner and retired, I am sure, in the
knowledge of a good job of work well done. The best wishes of
the Department go to Mr. and Mrs. Russell for a long and happy
retirement. His successor, Mr. Gonzalez, was appointed in May,
coming with excellent references from the Borough of Wembley,
where he had been carrying out similar work. Towards the end
of the year, the new house for the mortuary keeper was completed