“For the first time since 1939 it is possible to visualize the end of the difficult phase in the housing situation.” This graphic sentence is contained in the annual report of the Medical Officer of Health (Dr. P. X. Bermingham), presented to Rushden Urban Council on Wednesday.

Eight years of “relentless” building has reduced the waiting list of applicants to “reasonable” proportions, the report continues. Applicants from unfit houses are appearing at the top of the list with more regularity.

On December 31, 1952, the total number of applicants for council houses was 365 – a decrease of 88 on the number at the end of the previous year.

In view of the number of houses built since the war, it was planned to commence work on slum clearance this year.

“Caravans as permanent dwellings for families are not satisfactory and must be considered as sub-standard accommodation,” writes Dr. Bermingham.

Caravan Problem

There was one licensed caravan site in the area; it could accommodate up to sixty caravans, and all amenities were provided and maintained satisfactorily. Two further caravan sites in Newton Road had been set up without the necessary licences, and action had been taken.

“The situation requires constant supervision,” he adds, “and in the interests of the community strict rules and regulations for caravans must be observed.”

There was no outbreak of infectious diseases last year. The area had been clear of diphtheria for seven years. Immunisation figures were being maintained at a satisfactory level, but he wished the same could be said with regard to smallpox. Vaccination figures were not satisfactory.

There were 204 deaths and 200 births. The infant mortality rate was five per 1,000 live births – the lowest rate ever recorded for Rushden.

Mr. H. W. Ellis, in his report as Sanitary Inspector, said that the Public Health Department continued to press for a higher standard of food handling, the accent being on education followed by routine inspection. The improvement of premises was only part of the problem of securing cleaner food, and could never replace the fundamental necessity of personal cleanliness.

Unsound food destroyed during the year totalled one ton, two quarters, 8¾lbs.