London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Southall 1961
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]
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Six establishments were inspected for licence under this heading and all were found satisfactory for the purpose which was intended. Details are as follows:—
| Purpose | No. of Licences |
|---|---|
| Chiropody only | |
| Massage, Chiropody and Electrical Treatment | 4 |
Medical Examination of Borough Council Employees
During 1961 a total of 79 medical examinations were carried out on applicants for
Borough Council employment or members of the Borough Council staff. These examinations
were carried out with regard to suitability for employment on the Council's permanent
staff, for entry into the Sickness Pay Scheme, or for review after prolonged periods
of sick leave.
A survey of sickness absence amongst Borough Council staff during the year is shown
in the table below, and the comparable statistics for the two previous years. Amongst
the outdoor staff fewer people had sick leave, but the length of sickness was greater.
Members of Indoor Establishment
| Year | Staff Total | Requiring Sick Leave | Total days sick leave | Percentage requiring sick leave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 165 | 89 | 1,187 | 54 |
| 1960 | 154 | 74 | 888 | 48 |
| 1959 | 157 | 93 | 1,295 | 59 |
Members of Outdoor Establishment
| Year | Staff Total (Part-time and Full-time) | Requiring sick leave | Total days sick leave | Percentage requiring sick leave |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | 281 | 127 | 4,561 | 45 |
| 1960 | 278 | 153 | 4.077½ | 55 |
| 1959 | 282 | 206 | 5.509½ | 73 |
Nuclear Radiation
The increased production, transport, and use of radioactive material means that a
new public health problem can arise. It has become apparent that some method of control
is necessary and that a local authority requires to be informed of all possible sources of
radiation within its district. Radioactive isotopes are used in industry, in hospitals and in
technical schools and colleges, and it is important that as much information as possible
should be available as to the precautions taken in the use of the substances, and what, if
anything, has to be done about waste products. The total use in Southall is said to be
still extremely minute.
The Metropolitan Water Board now gives, with its monthly report on the state of the
water coming into public supply, a short notice of the radio activity as estimated by the
Board's Laboratory Staff, and also records the reports of the Atomic Energy Authority
on the radio active content of outfalls into the Thames from the Nuclear reactors.
The Radio Active Substances Act (1960) provided for the central registration and
control of the keeping and use of radio active materials and the disposal of radio active
waste, and enabled the central authority to notify local authorities of the existence of
registered premises within their boundaries. No notifications of this nature have yet
been received in the Public Health Department.
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