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Arrangements were made for a new Health Centre to be
built at Ham. This will be a great help to those living in that
district.
The "Home Helps" service gradually expanded and was
able to give most valuable help in maternity cases and cases of
illness and infirmity.
Sanitary work was confronted with ever increasing difficulties
owing to the shortage of labour and materials. Under these
conditions little progress could be made and only urgent sanitary
or housing defects were remedied. This naturally means that
many houses are progressively deteriorating. In addition the
building programme cannot keep pace with the requirements, and
there are very numerous cases of over-crowding. In many houses
there are two or more families. Though not legally overcrowded,
this mode of life is not one which leads to health and happiness.
Throughout the year Mr. B. Aisthorpe has been in office as
your Chief Sanitary Inspector and I am indebted to him for
the report on "Sanitary Circumstances" of the area. This gives
some idea of the work done by the Sanitary Inspectors and
indicates some of the problems encountered.
In conclusion, I must thank every member of my Department
for their loyal and efficient support, without which, this report
could never have been prepared.
My Chief Clerk, Miss V. Slack, who so ably helped to
carry the Department through the difficult war years, unfortunately
left in November to take up duties with Wimbledon
Borough Council. However, Miss J. Black acted most efficiently
in her place and all difficulties were overcome.
I am also indebted to the Council and its Committees for their
encouragement and help which are important factors in the smooth
running and effectiveness of the work of my Department.
I am, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your Obedient Servant,
ERIC PEREIRA
Medical Officer of Health.