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respect of the Hackney No 2 (Central) Smoke Control Order exempting furnaces
constructed or adapted to consume wood waste
Public Health Inspection Staff. The establishment of twenty Inspectors,
which provides for a Chief Public Health Inspector, a Senior Housing Inspector,
a Senior District Inspector, two Food Inspectors, a Clean Air Inspector and
fourteen District Inspectors, was full at the beginning of the year. During
the year there were four resignations, and two new appointments were made, with
the result that at the end of the year there were two vacancies. One Pupil
obtained the Certificate of the Public Health Inspectors Education Board during
the year, and five were in training at the end of the year
Welfare of Aged Persons. The Chalfonts Holiday Hotel at Bognor Regis was
opened for the reception of guests on April 17th The duration of the holiday
is normally one week, Monday to Monday and by the end of the year some 637
persons had one week's holiday and 35 had a holiday of two weeks This
scheme of providing a rest and change for elderly men and women who have not
had a holiday for some time, and who are unlikely to be able to make their
own holiday arrangements has proved to be a most satisfactory extension of
old people's welfare work.
New Legislation. Among the Acts receiving the Royal Assent during the year,
and affecting the wort of the Public Health Department were:-
(a) The Consumer Protection Act, 1961 This Act replaces the Heating
Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952 and the Oil Burners (Standards) Act, 1960
which are repealed The Act also enables the Home Secretary to make regulations
in respect of any class of goods imposing requirements which, in his
opinion are expedient to prevent or reduce risk of death or personal injury.
(b) The London County Council (General Powers) Act, 1961 enables a borough
council to provide or make arrangements for the provision of an invalid meals
service. These meals may be provided for persons for whom special nourishment
or a special diet is prescribed either in the persons' own homes or elsewhere.
(c) Housing Act 1961 operative from 24th November, 1961, gives local
authorities new powers to deal with unsatisfactory living conditions in houses
in multiple occupation.
(d) The Factories Act, 1961 comes into operation on the 1st April, 1962,
and consolidates the Factories Acts. 1937 to 1959 which it repeals.
The staff and employees of the Department in yet another very full year
carried out their many and varied duties efficiently and with enthusiasm.
Dr. Marjory A Dawson who had held the post of whole-time Deputy Medical
Officer of Health since December 1954 resigned in June to take up a post
with the Westminster City Council We were extremely sorry to lose the
services of so capable an officer and we wish her the best of luck in
her new sphere.
As in former years the Chief Officers and members of the staffs of other
departments co-operated to the full with this Department. Once again throughout
the year we received all possible assistance from the general medical
practitioners in the Borough, from the staffs of the various hospitals, from
the Divisional Medical Officer and staff of Division 4 of the London County
Council and from various voluntary organisations. I am glad to have this
opportunity of thanking them.
Finally, it again affords me much pleasure to express to the Chairman and
Members of the Public Health Committee, and to the Members of the Council as a
whole, my best thanks for their help throughout the year.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN FENTON,
Medical Officer of Health.