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CAM 50
Public Health Department,
Town Hall,
Camberwell, S.E.5.
September, 1956.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
of the Metropolitan Borough of Camberwell.
Mr. Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
I have much pleasure in presenting my Annual Report
for the year 1955. This is my first report as Medical Officer
of Health of the Borough for a full year.
It will be noted that this Report has been produced in a
form different from that of previous years; all the usual
statistical data has been included in an appendix and the
remainder of the Report is devoted to information and public
health features of topical interest. This new "pattern," whilst
providing all the particulars normally given, eliminates repetition
and will, I hope, prove to be of greater interest, not only to the
members of the Council and other persons concerned with public
health administration, but also to the general public.
The health of the population of Camberwell was maintained
at a satisfactory level throughout the year and there was no
unusual occurrence which calls for special comment. The
population, as estimated by the Registrar-General at mid-year
showed a reduction of 900 on the previous year; there was a
slight increase in the death rate from 10.1 to 10.5 but the infantile
mortality rate, which fell to 21.3, was the lowest ever recorded
in Camberwell. The birth rate dropped by only one point.
The early part of the year saw the completion of the housing
survey and after consultations with the officers of the London
County Council, a joint return was made to the Minister under
Section 1 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954; a copy
of the return appears in the Statistical Appendix to this Report.
Negotiations with the London County Council were still proceeding
at the end of the year to reach agreement on the next
five-year Slum Clearance Programme.
In conclusion I should like to record my thanks to the
members of the Council and the other Chief Officers and their
Staffs for the consideration and co-operation they have extended