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Local Health Authorities, through their Children's Department,
have to spend a considerable proportion of the rate on the provision
of homes to take children into care as well as appointing more Child
Care officers to assist in the supervision of bad homes.
The work of the Public Health Inspectors too has altered very
considerably over the years. The introduction of new legislation, i.e.
Smoke Abatement Acts, the extension of the Food and Drugs Act and
New Housing Acts have made the work of this section of the Department
very much more responsible than it was previously. The impact
of establishing Smoke Control Areas has had a considerable effect upon
the work and the deviation of responsibility of the Department.
The work of the Clean Air Act, which has so far been undertaken
without the appointment of additional staff has increased to such an
extent that it now takes up a disproportionate amount of the time of
the available staff.
This can be seen from the following table which shews the number
of visits made in connection with duties under the Clean Air Act,
mainly in connection with Smoke Control Areas, and the number of
inspections of houses, food premises and factories. While the total
figure indicates that the volume of work is now greater than heretofore,
the other figures shew that the emphasis has so changed that
certain aspects of the work are not receiving the attention they warrant
and formerly received.

During the year the problem dealing with the aged and chronic sick
has demanded a considerable deal of administrative time and field work
from the members of the Public Health Department. The provision of
home help, district nursing, meals on wheels and other services for the
aged has alleviated the lot of many lonely, sick and old persons. The
admission to hospital of many cases has been arranged through the
kindly help of the Geriatric Department at St. Helier's Hospital.
During the year under review no Magistrate's Orders had to be sought
for the removal of an old person. Most of the cases dealt with were
only too pleased to accept the administration arrangements made on
their behalf.
Once again we must record the appreciation of all for the very
considerable help given by the W.V.S. in this connection under the able
guidance of Mrs. O. L. Wiles.
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