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Involved as they are with the wellbeing of the community in so far as
standards of hygiene are concerned, their duties take them to offices and
workshops, to places of entertainment, to restaurants and food shops,
and to centres where food is produced, stored or processed. They are
responsible for the Council's Clean Air programme, they deal with
housing conditions, with noise problems, and in fact with all matters
affecting the environment.
Against this background, it is of interest at this time of change in the
pattern of Local Government to consider the future of the office of the
Health Inspector. A perusal of Annual Reports from 1934, the date
when the Harrow of today was formed by the amalgamation of the
Harrow-on-the Hill and Wealdstone urban districts with that of the
Hendon rural area, will serve to illustrate the changes that have occurred
over this comparatively short space of time.
During the mid thirties pockets of unfit properties were being dealt
with under the Clearance provisions of the Housing Acts. Today, action
pursuant to these provisions is the exception rather than the rule. Then,
since the war, areas involving properties that were built during the 1930s
by speculating builders for sale, but which were eventually let, have
become owner-occupied. T he changes that follow such take overs are
often remarkable — matters previously the subject of complaint are dealt
with by the new owners—gardens receive attention and the whole
appearance of the premises, and in turn the district, improves.
Harrow, today, has in fact no serious housing problem and it is
hoped the effect of the 1969 Housing Act will result in existing properties
being improved and maintained to a much higher standard.
In the matter of the inspection and supervision of food premises
there have also been changes. For example, during 1934, there were 18
cow-keepers in the district—today there are three; there were 9 slaughterhouses—today
only one is in use; there were 40 bakehouses—today the
number is 9. Then, too, the coming of self-service and the demands of the
public for car parking facilities at the shopping centre of their choice have
brought changes and problems that involve the Health Inspector, among
them being the disposal of the wrapping and packaging material accumulated
by the modern supermarket; another being the disposal of the
considerable quantities of foodstuff that arise when a modern refrigeration
unit breaks down.
Today, atmospheric pollution is a matter that is very much to the
fore and the Council's Clean Air programme continues to make progress.
Noise and its effects is another aspect of the work of the Department
that is receiving more and more attention from the health inspector,
while during the course of his day to day visits he, like the health visitor
and midwife, acts as a health education and public relations officer.