View report page

FULham 1212 Health, Welfare and Children's Services,
Old Town Hall,
Fulham Road,
S.W.6.
30th March, 1967.
The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
London Borough of Hammersmith.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit the first Annual Report of the Medical Officer of Health of
the London Borough of Hammersmith
Introduction.
This report has been compiled in accordance with the requirements of Ministry of Health
Circular 1/66, and refers to the year 1965. The delay in its publication, due to the pressures
arising from the reorganisation of London Government, and from the administration of the services
to which the report refers, is regretted but it is hoped, will be understood. With the agreement of
the Inner London Education Authority a report on the School Health Service in the Borough during
1965, which has been submitted to the Education Authority by your Medical Officer of Health in
his capacity of Principal School Medical Officer, is included in this Annual Report. Similarly
since your Medical Officer of Health, in his capacity as Medical Officer of Health and Welfare,
has responsibilities in regard to the Welfare and Children's Services, reports on these services
are also set out. Certain of the Council's services have particular implications for Health and
Welfare and reports on the Public Cleansing Service, the Housing Service, the Baths and Laundries
Service and the Parks and Cemeteries Department are therefore also included.
Vital Statistics.
The health of the residents of the Borough as shown by the appropriate vital statistics
presented no special feature during the year. Maternal deaths include deaths in any way attributable
to pregnancy, childbirth and abortion and two such deaths were reported.
Whereas fourteen persons died of pulmonary tuberculosis some one hundred and seventyseven
deaths were attributable to cancer of the lung and bronchus. Quite apart from mortality of
this order the "Tobacco diseases", as Dr. Stradling calls them, undoubtedly give rise to a great
deal of morbidity.
Infectious Disease.
Measles was epidemic during 1965 and 1,907 cases occurred. There was a complete
absence of diphtheria or poliomyelitis. Meningococcal infection regrettably caused three deaths
among the seven cases notified.
Environmental Health.
Substantial progress was made in the environmental health field. In addition to the routine
work which was actively pursued, particularly in regard to food hygiene and food and drugs administration,
attention was given to the inspection of houses in multi-occupation and to inspections
under the Offices, Shops and Railway Premises Act, 1963. The survey of one Smoke Control area
was under way.
ix