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free from boredom and loneliness; and, as the Report of their Chairman shows, this
covers a wide range of services and activities. Special consideration is given by
the Borough Council to the housing needs of elderly people, particularly those in need
of ground floor accommodation or specially adapted amenities in their home because of
some crippling defect. Close co-operation exists with the Geriatric department at
St. Ann's General Hospital, with the welfare department and with the home help, home
nursing, and health visitor services of the local health authority. Under the
supervision of my deputy, the retirement advice clinic for men reaching the age of 65
continues to function well. Here in an unhurried atmosphere a man, who more often
than not has given no previous thought to his retirement, may have a medical check and
be encouraged to discuss his possible problems and how he wishes to occupy his new
found leisure. So far as possible he is then put in touch with those who can help
him.
Action under the Housing Acts and Clean Air Act occupied much of the time of the
public health department during the past year. Representations were made, after
detailed house to house inspection by the chief public health inspector, of 205 houses
for slum clearance and 12 individual unfit houses closed or demolished. New standards
were adopted by the Council in relation to houses in multiple occupation. An adequate
survey of such properties, however, proved impossible owing to the inability to fill
three vacancies in the inspectorial staff throughout the year. The remaining all
highly experienced staff were hard pressed to cope with their many other duties, some
involving new legislation, and with many hours of overtime in connection with the
slaughtering of animals. Applications for rehousing on medical grounds numbering 108
were visited and investigated by my deputy or myself.
The ill effects of atmospheric pollution upon the health of the community is
widely appreciated and the Council resolved to do everything in its power to ensure
that progress is made as rapidly as possible. A third Smoke Control Order was
confirmed during the year which included 8,441 dwellings, the largest so far tackled
at one time. In addition to the heavy task this meant to the health inspectors, an
area of such size involves very considerable clerical work only made possible bv a
successful reorganisation of that department by the chief administrative assistant.
This brief introduction read in conjunction with the Report itself, seeks to make
clear that while the pattern of the public health services may remain basically the
same, from year to year, the reshaping and necessity to tackle new problems must form
a constant challenge to Committee members and their officers. In such a spirit the
initial problems associated with proposals for merger with neighbouring authorities to
form a new Greater London Borough, will be faced with confidence; and in the knowledge
that Tottenham has much to give and much to gain in a single unit cf local government
of sufficient size and resources to provide full and comprehensive services to the
public.
Last of all I wish to thank all members of the staff for their whole hearted
co-operation; and to express my gratitude to the Council and to Chairmen and members
of Committees for their understanding and encouragement.
G HAMILTON HOGBEN
Medical Officer of Health