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METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF CHELSEA
TELEPHONE : Public Health Department,
FLAxman 8101 Town Hall,
King's Road,
CHELSEA, S.W.3.
July, 1960.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea.
Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have much pleasure in presenting my annual report on the
health of the Borough for the year 1959.
The Registrar-General estimated the population at 4.9,520, a
decrease of 670 on last year, and so the downward trend which has
been apparent since 1950 has steadily continued.
The total number of live births recorded was 722 as compared
with 742 in 1958, the comparative rates per 1,000 of the population
being 14.6 and 14.8 respectively. When the "area comparability
factor" is applied, the resultant current rate is 11.1.
The number of deaths registered, namely 726, shows very little
change from last year when it was 730. The death rate per 1,000
of the population was 14.7, which, after adjustment by the "area
comparability factor" becomes 11.0.
The "area comparability factor" is a means of making allowance
for the differing age and sex distribution of different populations.
After application of this factor, the corrected rate more accurately
depicts the comparison with other areas.
This was the fifth successive year in which none of the deaths
recorded was associated with pregnancy or childbirth. Another
pleasing factor was the sharp decline in infant mortality, the details
of which can be seen in the body of the report.
The number of infectious disease notifications received during
the year was 613. This shows a significant increase on last year
when the figure was 445, and was due to the usual biennial recurrence
of measles. The position regarding food poisoning was most
satisfactory, only five cases being reported during the year.
The important question of accidents in the home cane under review
during the year. Section 82 of the London County Council (General
Powers) Act, 1957, enables a local authority to disseminate information
and advice on home safety matters, and reference is made in the body
of this report to a Home Safety Campaign which was held in November,