[Report 1966] / Medical Officer of Health, Liskeard R.D.C.

  • Liskeard (England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1966
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1966] / Medical Officer of Health, Liskeard R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    be unduly critical of the hospital authorities, let me say at once that I am well aware of their difficulties in providing accommodation and staff for this type of patient, and that I do not overlook the special efforts they make to give priority to cases where they are made aware of the unsatisfactory and sometimes desperate domestic background. In the field of water supply the situation is generally satisfactory although there are some localities in which consumers still experience difficulties. These relate in the main to shortage of water during times of heavy demand, and to the appearance of sediment and discolouration in the supply, both of which arise from older and now inadequate distribution mains. The East Cornwall Water Board is aware of the inadequacies and has a programme to deal with them, but for financial and other reasons this will take time. The position in respect of sewerage and sewage disposal shows a gradual improvement with large schemes in Liskeard Borough and in Calstock Parish well in hand. There is also good prospect that a com¬ prehensive scheme for Looe will not be long delayed This last will remove a major source of nuisance concerning which I have in previous reports written in a very critical vein. In the Tiskeard Rural District the position has now been reached where schemes to cater for relatively small hamlets are being considered. A possible obstacle to the implemen¬ tation of such small schemes is the high cost in relation to the limited number of dwellings served—in some cases as much as £400 to £500 per dwelling. In an area which is mainly rural in character it may seem odd to write of any difficulty in finding and securing suitable sites for disposing of household refuse. Nevertheless this is certainly the case, more particu¬ larly in the western half of the Health Area. The increase in the volume of household and trade refuse to be disposed, coupled with more critical attitudes of disposal methods, have added considerably to the difficulty of securing suitable sites. I have already said, and I offer no excuse for repeating here my view, that ratepayers will have to accept higher charges if really satisfactory arrangements for the collection and disposal of refuse are to be made. Improved types of refuse collecting vehicles, and more efficient methods of tip management are likely to increase noticeably the cost of this service. In addition the not unreasonable demand for the inclusion in this service of ways and means of disposing of heavier items such as motor car bodies, old furniture, mattresses—what is commonly called “junk”—will further increase rate-borne expenditure under this head. This latter type of refuse poses little problem to public health but is pre¬ senting an increasing threat to the amenities of the countryside and open spaces near any centre of population. In concluding the general preface I should like to place on record yet again my sense of gratitude and indebtedness to the Members, Officers and staffs of the six District Councils for the help and co-operation that I have received from them during 1966. I have the honour to be Your obedient Servant, P. J. FOX Medical Officer of Health.