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Telephone: TOWN HALL.
Riverside 3020. HAMMERSMITH. W.6.
To His Worship The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Metropolitan
Borough of Hammersmith.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my Annual Report for 1963.
For the first time since 1950, the Health Department has had a full
establishment of Public Health Inspectors, and this has resulted in a closer control
being exercised over environmental health matters, particularly as regards food
premises, by the Inspectorate.
With regard to Infectious Diseases, there was an increase over the previous
year of 816 cases, due almost entirely to the peak of the two year Measles cycle
occurring in 1963, with 1,004 notifications as against 192 in 1962. It is
interesting to note that there was a fall in the number of notifications of food
poisoning from 22 in 1962 to 13 in 1963. It should again be pointed out however,
that many cases of food poisoning are not reported to the Health Department.
The Department became very much involved in the outbreak of Typhoid
Fever which had its source in Zermatt, as one of the first persons to contract the
disease was a Sister in a local hospital who had just returned from a holiday in
Zermatt. It was due to the prompt action by everybody concerned that Medical
Officers of Health for the areas in which the Sister's fellow travellers resided,
were quickly alerted, and action was taken which undoubtedly helped to confine
the outbreak.
During the year under review I was for the major part on sick leave and
unable to carry out my duties. I am very grateful to Dr. Settle, the Medical Officer
of Health of Fulham, who so readily stepped into the breach and advised the
Department on its medical problems. The burden of responsibility for the work
of the Health Department has fallen on the Administrative Officer and I should
like to record my appreciation of the capable manner in which he has shouldered
the task. The Chief Public Health Inspector has also had to undertake added
responsibility and to him and to all members of the staff of the Health Department
I should like to record my grateful thanks.
In conclusion I would like to thank the Chairmen and Members of the
Committees for their support and guidance to the Health Department during
the year.
I am, Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
F. M. DAY,
Medical Officer of Health.