View report page

Annual Report 1972
Environmental Health
The World Health Organisation has defined "Environmental
Health" as the control of all those factors in man's physical
environment which exercise, or may exercise, a deleterious
effect on his physical development, health and survival. This
section of the annual report deals with the Public Health
Inspector's approach to these problems by the pursuance
of informal or statutory powers.
My report for 1971 commented upon the actue staff
shortage amongst the public health inspectors which
meant that the inhabitants and visitors of the Borough have
not received the protection which they have a right to
expect and which the council has a duty to provide. The
year under review shows an even worse position,
approximately 1200 working days were lost (an increase of
50% over 1971) due to an inability to appoint and retain
staff. This is in excess of 25% of the working days which
could have been expected from a full establishment of 'field'
inspectors. The year saw seven resignations and two
appointments and it concluded with the total establishment
of 22 public health inspectors, being 7 below strength.
An analysis of the 7 resignations reveals that 4
inspectors (including the Deputy Chief and 2 senior
inspectors) retired due to age and the other three young
inspectors all went to the same neighbouring authority
where the salary career grade offered better prospects than
here at Hounslow. Two of these had recently qualified after
training as pupils with Hounslow.
It will be seen from the report that I endeavoured to
direct the staff to the areas of work where it was considered
essential to maintain surveillance, but many duties have
been forced to receive scant attention. The shortage of
staff accentuated the need to reform the structure of the
Environmental Health section to create specialist teams,
which comprise public health inspectors, technical assistants
and clerical and administrative officers. Two of the teams
deal with housing and food matters and the others with
general district work, whilst certain principal inspectors
co-ordinate the department's specialist approach to noise,
atmospheric pollution, pests, caravans, offices and shops
etc. I am satisfied that the formation of these groups is the
correct approach to the environmental problems of the
Borough but regret the shortage of staff within the
framework.
Water supply
All dwellings within the borough are supplied with water
either by the Metropolitan Water Board or the South West
Surburban Water Company. Reports have been received
from both undertakings which indicate that the water has
been regularly sampled and that the results were satisfactory
both for quality and quantity. The reports indicate that
the water has a slight fluoride content of 0.15 milligrammes
per litre which originates from natural sources.
During the course of the year 93 water samples were
taken by the department relating to:—
11 domestic premises as a result of complaints
1 ice cream manufacturer as part of a major investigation
into the deteriorating quality of ice cream being
produced
17 schools as a routine check on drinking water
9 restaurants as a routine check on drinking water
1 employment exchange as a result of a complaint
1 shop as a result of a complaint
More than one sample is usually taken from each of the
premises and bacteriological and chemical examination is
carried out. One of the series of samples tested proved
unsatisfactory. This originated from a spring supply on
Hounslow Heath and served two caravans, the occupants
from a hose pipe used in connection with an ice cream
manufacturing process. Following representation from the
department a sterilizing procedure was adopted which
resulted in a satisfactory standard being obtained.
Swimming baths

The general baths manager carried out tests to determine
the condition of the water and this department has carried
out 'spot' checks, the results of which are reported to the
general manager. The following are the results obtained.
Grade
I II III IV V Total
Swimming pools 83 11 30 6 2 132
Remedial pool 11 Nil 2 Nil Nil 13
Figures are also shown above for the remedial pool
operated by the Director of Education in Martindale Road
School.
Analysis of the figures obtained shows a marked
reduction in the number of samples within category IV
compared with the previous year and overall there were 4%
fewer unsatisfactory results (Grades III, IV and V).
53