View report page

90
We were concerned when imperforated plastic sacks were being
left on doorsteps for the reception of jumble. These bags can easily
suffocate a child if he gets inside and it would be appreciated if
any similar practices are reported to the department immediately.
This can be as hazardous as leaving old refrigerators or cars where
they can be misused by children.
Pood hygiene tends to have been eclipsed by the publicity given
to pollution generally. As the report indicates there is a continuing
need for constant vigilance on the part of the public health
inspectorate but the housewife can play her part by refusing to shop
where the standards are not high and by drawing the attention of
managements to the unsatisfactory handling of food.
The department has published a series of information sheets to
assist ratepayers in dealing with some of the current problems.
Pigeons and squirrels in particular are the subjects of complaint.
As with rats and mice much can be done by making sure no food is left
out and this will discourage them from residential areas. It is not
the policy of this authority to kill all living creatures but in the
interest of preventing disease it is essential to keep wild animals
in towns down to reasonable numbers.
The future of the Health Service has been the subject of two
"Green Papers" and the present Government has expressed its intention
to absorb the local authority personal health services into a comprehensive
health service., If implemented this would make environmental
health the major health responsibility of the Council - a situation
which appertained in the constituent Boroughs before amalgamation in
1965. As the reorganisation of local government outside London is to
be effective from the 1st April 1974 and the reorganisation of the
Health Service is planned to coincide,, a period of uncertainty similar
to the years preceding 1965 can be anticipated.,
I wish to pay tribute to the work of the Deputy Chief Public
Health Inspector and Senior Public Health Inspectors and particularly
to Mr. F.H.A. Burton in connection with his work on improvement grants
and housing generally., There haa been a great increase in the volume
of the department's work and their contribution together with that of
all colleagues in the department is appreciated by me.
My thanks are due to the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and members of
the Health and Welfare Committee for their support and encouragement
and to Dr. Birehall and to the staff of the Health and all other
departments for their ready co-operation., Special thanks are extended
to colleagues in other departments who have co-operated in the
planning of General Improvement Areas.
P.E. KINTON.
Chief Public Health Inspector.,