London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Deptford 1931
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Deptford, Metropolitan Borough of]
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30
Sanitary Work.
With the submission of the "Summary of Sanitary Work" for the
year 1931, I append the following notes:—
Although figures cannot always be indicative of the actual work carried out, the following comparative information will, doubtless, be of interest:—
| 1929 | 1930 | 1931 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total primary inspections | 5,825 | 8,004 | 7,592 |
| Total re-inspections | 14,545 | 18,167 . | 20,461 |
| Total Intimation Notices served | 2,860 | 3,458 | 3,552 |
| Total Statutory Notices served | 302 | 1,078 | 1,104 |
| Total Housing Act Notices served | 3 | 42 | 12 |
| Total Met. Management Act Notices served | - | 15 | 74 |
| Total premises on which works were completed | 2,831 | 3,855 | 3,941 |
| Total improvements effected during the year | 9,234 | 12,053 | 14,166 |
It was in September, 1929, that the present scheme was put into
operation. In 1930, there was a striking increase over previous years
in the number of premises inspected. The year which has just closed
shows a slight decrease in these primary inspections, but upon closer
scrutiny of the figures for the various sections, the fact comes to light
that this reduction is confined almost wholly to " Infectious Disease"
and " Miscellaneous " inspections, whilst the year's total in respect of
House-to-house" inspections shows an important increase to the
extent of nearly 700. As will be readily appreciated, this latter increase
necessitates more intensive re-inspection, and this is demonstrated in an
increase of some 2,300 re-inspections. To take this particular item a
stage further, it will be noted that whilst the number of notices served
is only slightly in advance of the previous year's totals, the " improvements
effected " figure shows a very material increase, thus illustrating
that, as would be expected in this particular section of sanitary work,
the " inspection " is of a more thorough and extensive nature.
A further point may be mentioned to illustrate the effect of the
scheme in general " speeding-up." The Council will be aware that
notices under the Housing Act have been applied for from time to time.
The figure in the above report under this head as to notices served,
may, therefore seem somewhat small. An intimation notice is served
when the original inspection is made, but it should be noted, however,