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new legislation.
Legislation during the year includes the Housing Repairs
and Rents Act, 1954 and The Food and Drugs (Amendment)
Act, 1954 both of which will add considerably to the duties
of the department. Review of the housing accommodation
in the District is already in hand with a view to providing the
information required under the Housing Repairs & Rents Act by
the Minister of Housing and Local Government in connection
with demolition and clearance of slum properties.
In view of the increase in population, this District took over
from the Essex County Council their functions under the Shops
Acts, with effect from ist April, 1954, and assumes the duties
of a Food and Drugs Authority as from 1st April, 1955.
NATIONAL ASSISTANCE ACT, 1948, and NATIONAL
ASSISTANCE (AMENDMENT) ACT, 1951.
Five persons "in need of care and attention" were under
observation for possible action under this section.
Three of these cases remain at home under continued observation.
One was admitted to hospital as a voluntary patient.
One case was compulsorily removed to Heath Hospital, Tendring,
under Section 47 of the 1948 Act. She is still an inmate,
but compulsion is not now necessary.
In conclusion, I would again like to record my appreciation
to the Chairman and Members of the Public Health Committee
for their support and to the staff of the Public Health
Department for their help and co-operation during the year.
For the statistical information which the Area Health and
Divisional Educational Departments of the County Council have
provided for this report, grateful acknowledgments are also
made.
H. FRANKS, M.B., B.S., B.Hy., D.P.H.
Medical Officer of Health.
June, 1955.
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