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A survey of all the catering establishments in the Borough was
carried out and this disclosed fairly satisfactory hygienic conditions
in most of the premises. It will be seen from the Report that with
the ready co-operation of the proprietors of these establishments most
of the defects found were remedied„ The few remaining at the end of
the year were held up only because of difficulty or delay in obtaining
equipment.
The welfare of Old People continued to be a most important
problem, and every effort was made to assist in the improvement of
the conditions of distressed cases by the co-ordination of voluntary
societies and statutory bodies responsible for particular functions
with regard to Old People,, The Public Health Department of the
Borough is the place to which people in need of advice and help on
health matters, and indeed on many matters which seem not to have a
direct bearing on healthy often turn. We do not discourage people
from doing this as so many of the problems of living causing these
enquiries are having an immediate, or are likely to have, a delayed,
effect on the physical and mental health of the people concerned.,
The routine work of the Sanitary Inspectors on housing,
overcrowding, nuisances, shop inspections etc. continued throughout
the year and in fact increased in amount over that reported in 1950,
partly because many properties were getting older and therefore in
more frequent need of repair, and partly because of additional
inspections carried out in shops and catering establishments following
the issue of the Council's new Bye-laws on the Handling, Wrapping and
Delivery of Food. In the eastern end of the Borough a survey was
commenced on an area proposed for clearance and re-development.
The measurements of atmospheric pollution by assessment of the
amount of smoke and sulphur dioxide deposited daily in the Borough
was continued throughout the year at the two selected sites. Comment
is made in the Report on the summarised results which tend to show
that the air in the Borough is not heavily polluted at any time of
the year. Sanitary Inspectors continued to visit and advise at
factories or other premises likely to cause smoke nuisance, in an
endeavour to reduce the pollution that exists.
I should like to thank all the members of the Health Department
staff for their very great assistance with the preparation of this
Report, and also for their willing and efficient service throughout
the year.
I am, Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Medical Officer of Health
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