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Borough of Bermondsey
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Borough of Bermondsey
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you for your consideration a
report on the health and sanitary circumstances of the Borough for
1963.
The number of deaths in the Borough shows a slight increase
over last year. Those for malignant neoplasm have fallen and the
number caused by coronary disease/angina have increased. There
was a marked increase in the number of notified cases of infectious
disease caused, mainly, by the usual tri-annual outbreak of measles
and double the number of cases of Acute Gastro Enteritis than
occurred in 1962 although it is interesting to note that the number
of cases of food poisoning dropped from 32 in 1962 to 14 in 1963.
The week-end meals service for the homebound elderly continues
to increase and has proved to be a most worthwhile service.
During the year its future seemed to be in jeopardy as the frozen
food used ceased to become available. Through the kindness of the
Governor's of Guy's Hospital the meals are now supplied by the
kitchens of the hospital and I would like to record my grateful
thanks to them for their co-operation.
In October the Women's Voluntary Service opened a meals club
at their headquarters in Brunel Road on two days a week and in a
very short time it was working to capacity, an indication of the
excellence of the service provided.
Under the provisions of the National Assistance Act 1948
(Amended 1962) the Department assumed responsibility for a number
of services previously provided by the Bermondsey & Rotherhithe
Council for the Welfare of Old People. Grants were made
to 398 elderly persons towards a holiday and outings were arranged
for the elderly homebound to the seaside or country.
No cases of persons needing compulsory removal to hospital
or old persons' home were encountered during the year but 3 old
people agreed to admission voluntarily. This is undoubtedly due
to the patience and kindly persuasive powers of the staff engaged
in this work.
Included in my report is data on the investigation of lacquer
hair spraying and an article I have had published in Guy's Gazette
on Air Pollution.