London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Southall 1963

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Southall]

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Public Conveniences
Five public conveniences are maintained by the Borough Council in the Borough in
addition to those provided in the public parks. These are sited at the Town Hall, High
Street; The Green (Manor House Grounds); Jubilee Gardens; King George's Field, Lady
Margaret Road; and Norwood Green. Each convenience provides accommodation for both
sexes. No charge is made for the use of the facilities, attendance is provided to some extent,
and free washing facilities are available, but a small charge is made for linen towels. For
details of use of towels see page 40.
In addition, the public conveniences in the public parks are as follows: Cranleigh
Playpark; Municipal Sports Ground, in pavilion; Southall Park (these were increased in
number during 1963 by means of renovation plus new building); Recreation Ground, in
ground, pavilion and Swimming Bath; Wolf Fields, in pavilion; Hortus Cemetery; and
Havelock Cemetery.
Sanitary Inspection of the District
The total number of inspections of premises made during the year by the Public Health
Inspectors was 9,939. Table XI1 gives an analysis of the number and nature of such
inspections.
The total number of inspections rose by over one thousand visits.
There was a very heavy increase in the number of visits made for houses in multiple
occupation because of the continuing changes of policy on standards for this type of dwelling.
In other Boroughs, this problem is of old standing, but as it is a comparatively new feature
of Southall life, great efforts are being made to see that the dwellings are brought up to the
standards permitted by contemporary legislation.
Another high figure is for visits in connection with the Clean Air Act and the implementation
of further Smoke Control Areas. During the year, request was made from the Minister
of Health that the Clean Air Act programme should be accelerated, so the work in connection
with this matter was increased as much as was possible considering the other commitments
of the Inspectors and the need for emergency inspections which always require
immediate attention from the Inspector of the appropriate district.
The amount of inspection on hygiene of food in shops and food factories increased, and
there was a considerable number of visits required for the following-up and clearing of the
finish of the Sonne dysentery outbreak. Visits to school premises showed also a higher figure
because of the difficulties occurring during the great frost, in the early part of the year, which
resulted in considerable damage to sanitary facilities in the schools.
Market
There is a market, part open, part covered, in the High Street where a weekly horse and
cattle sale is held on Wednesdays and a general sale of market produce and goods is held on
Saturdays. Observation requires to be kept on the hygienic provisions and maintenance
there.
In addition, travelling fairs and circuses spend periods in the Borough, three to four
times a year, and require supervision.
School Sanitation, Ventilation and Lighting
Schemes for the improvement of sanitary conditions in Southall schools made little
progress during the year.
In the beginning of the year, sudden severe weather resulted in the complete freezing-up
of the outdoor waterclosets which still existed in many schools, and also in some of the
indoor waterclosets and washing facilities. Conditions were so bad that at one point in
January, it seemed as if some schools would have to close, but various temporary arrangements
and the obtaining of extra plumbing services by the action of this Department secured
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