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During the year, services in connection with school medical inspection and treatment
were maintained in the control of the Public Health Department by agreement between the
Southall Borough Council and the Middlesex County Council. This entailed continued
adaptation of the whole system of the care of infants and school children, with the aim of
providing continuous records for children from birth to school leaving age.
The amount of health visiting carried out during the year was increased, and this
was the probable cause of the improvement in the figures of attendances at all the clinics
and treatment centres.
A considerable number of measles cases was notified during the early part of the year ;
the disease was of a mild type and there were no fatalities. In the summer there were a few
cases of dysentery, but no epidemic resulted.
The ambulance continued under the control of the Borough Council, and staff and
equipment were organised to provide an efficient service for the free conveyance of Southall
ratepayers requiring this type of assistance. The call on this service was heavy and
continuous throughout the year.
Of the four day nurseries established during the war period, it was necessary to close
one, this being in requisitioned premises. Places in these nurseries were always in demand.
This is one of the most satisfying services provided by the Council, as children benefit in
health, manners, in appearance and intelligence.
The work at the Isolation Hospital continued normally, the number of admissions
never reaching a very high level.
Overcrowding due to housing difficulty in the Borough increased the responsibility
of the health department, as overcrowded conditions tend to increase the problems of cleanliness
and infection with which it is the Department's duty to deal and, during the year,
the Sanitary Inspectors commenced a survey of the overcrowding of houses in the district.
I should like to take this opportunity of thanking all members of the Health Department
staff for the co-operation and loyal support they have given me, and the members of
the Voluntary Workers Association for the time they have so freely given.
I am, your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
E. GRUNDY,
Medical Officer of Health.
Manor House, Southall.
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