View report page

Progress continues to be made in the design and equipment of food shops
and premises. The number of individual cases or outbreaks of food poisoning
notified varies from year to year but one is constantly hearing of families
or groups suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting. When such information reaches
the Department it is usually too late for bacteriological investigation to be
of any value, but it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that many of these
illnesses are due to food poisoning. Improvements in shops, kitchens, stores
etc. are not enough and must be supplemented by high standards of food and personal
hygiene by all who handle food.
Complaints of the fouling of footpaths and grass verges by dogs show no
reduction. Admittedly dogs need exercise, but one suspects only too often that
dogs are taken out to avoid fouling the owners' gardens. Litter, on the streets
and every unfenced open space, is still plentiful and the temporary improvement
following the passing of the Litter Act seems to be falling off. Cigarette
packets, sweet and food wrappings, etc. may be discarded thoughtlessly, but wornout
furniture, mattresses, water tanks, etc. are deposited wilfully. The Council
has provided many litter bins, but such expenditure can only be effective if it
is supported wholeheartedly by the public. Bulky items present a special problem
and the Council may have to consider providing facilities for their removal.
The Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963 became largely operative
during the year. The Public Health Inspectors have had to make themselves
familiar with the many Orders, Regulations and Circulars issued to date and a
start has been made on the general inspection of registered premises. These
initial inspections have to cover many aspects of health and welfare and cannot
be hurried. If they are to be done without detriment to the other duties of the
inspectors, I anticipate it will take some three to five years to complete them,
especially as there is ground for suspicion that all eligible premises have not
been registered.
The Borough has had a particularly troublesome year with itinerant
caravan dwellers on the western fringe. The number of caravans has increased
and the occupants seem to be largely engaged in collecting scrap metal. Any road
verge or open space on which they settle is soon covered with discarded metal
and rubbish of all sorts, and the sanitary conditions are never satisfactory.
The occupants of the caravans are far from susceptible to advice or suggestion
and on occasion very firm measures have had to be taken to secure the removal
of the caravans. Much thought has been given to this problem, but no solution is
to hand.
In my Report for 1963 I made some observations on work done in the Borough
by Middlesex County Council acting as Local Health Authority, but here I have
confined myself to matters dealt with by the Borough Council acting as Local
Sanitary Authority. Both of these duties and responsibilities now rest with
the Borough of Hounslow. It is hoped that the foundations laid by the predecessors
of the new Borough will enable an enlightened and comprehensive local health
service to grow and develop.
To my colleagues in other Departments for their co-operation, to the
Council for its support and encouragement and to the staff for their loyal service
I would like to express my sincere thanks.
I remain,
Your obedient Servant,
A. ANDERSON,
Medical Officer of Health.
5