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5
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Metropolitan Borough of Battersea.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I present herewith my report upon the Health and Sanitary
conditions of the Borough during the year 1948.
On July 5th, 1948, under the National Health Service Act, certain
services, which for many years were administered by the Borough
Council, were transferred to the London County Council and the
Regional Hospital Board. As a result of this, a number of officers
were transferred to the authorities concerned. Many of these had
rendered valuable service to the Council for many years. I have no
doubt that the experience which they gained in the Council's service
will be of the greatest value to the new Authorities under whom they
now work and that they will give to them the loyal and devoted service
which they have given to your Council in the past.
During the year there was an increase in the number of cases of
infectious diseases as compared with the previous year, mainly as a
result of the increase in the cases of measles. There were five cases of
Poliomyelitis as compared with 23 in 1947 and the number of notifications
of Scabies was markedly reduced. A clinic for immunisation
against Whooping Cough was opened at Southlands during the year and
many parents availed themselves of the opportunity to have their
children immunised.
There were no deaths from Diphtheria during the year.
The housing situation in the Borough is one of considerable difficulty
and much of the work of the Sanitary Inspectors is concerned with
the investigation of complaints received in the Department. The time
taken to secure the abatement of nuisances is, for various reasons,
generally more prolonged than it was in pre-war years and entails
many more visits to premises by the Inspectors. Overcrowding is still
Prevalent in the Borough, although a large number of overcrowded
families were rehoused during the year.
I wish to thank the Mayor and Members of the Borough Council,
and more particularly the Chairman and Members of the Health,
Maternity and Child Welfare Committee for the continued encouragement
and assistance I have received from them during the year.
I gratefully acknowledge, also, the help I have received from the
Chief Officers of the Council and the loyal service always readily
rendered by the whole staff of the Public Health Department.
I have the honour to be, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
(Signed) G. MACDONALD,
Medical Officer of Health.