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The Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
London Borough of Hammersmith.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Old Town Hall,
Fulham Broadway,
London, S.W.6.
Tel.No. 01-385-1212
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH ANNUAL REPORT, 1969,
INTRODUCTORY LETTER
I have the honour to present the Annual Report of the Medical Officer of
Health and Director of Community Services of the London Borough of Hammersmith,
INTRODUCTION:
With the agreement of the Inner London Education Authority, a report on
the School Health Service in the Borough during 1969, 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 Director of Community
Services had,during 1969.responsibility for the Welfare and Children's Services,
reports on these Services are also set out. This Report, therefore, provides
details of the work which was carried out in each Section of the Community Services
during the year.
VITAL STATISTICS:
The Registrar-General's estimate of the population of Hammersmith, as at mid1969,
showed that it had been reduced by some 4,780 compared with mid-1968. This
is an appreciably smaller reduction than was estimated to occur in the previous
year. Neither the birth-rate, the infant mortality rate, nor the general deathrate
call for special comment. They were all of the same order as in 1968, and
showed a similar relationship to national figures. Two features of the vital
statistics are, however, noteworthy. Some eighteen per cent of live births in
Hammersmith were illegitimate compared with a national figure of eight per cent.
Whereas seven deaths occurred during the year from respiratory tuberculosis, no
fewer than 189 persons died from bronchial carcinoma.
INFECTIOUS DISEASE:
No fewer than 107 cases of food poisoning were notified during 1969. Twentytwo
persons were involved in one incident. Such figures as these highlight the
necessity for the utmost vigilance on the part of all concerned with the handling,
processing, cooking or sale of food, whether in the factory, the shop, or
the kitchen. The Chief Public Health Inspector, the Food Inspectors and the
Public Health Inspectorate generally, are well aware of this problem and are
anxious to advise the many new entrants to the food trade of the requirements of
the Food Hygiene Regulations.
This Authority has continued, as did the former London County Council, to
co-operate with the Medical Research Council in trials of measles vaccine and,
during 1968, a formal programme of immunisation against measles was commenced.
The annual number of cases of measles notified per annum since the inception
of the Borough Council was, as follows:- 1965-1907; 1966-1233; 1967-1075; 1968496;
1969-410.
The disease would be even further reduced, if not eradicated, if more
children were immunised. This applies to all the increasing number of infectious
diseases for which immunising agents are available.
The Consultant Chest Physicians, both at Hammersmith Hospital and at
Fulham Chest Clinic, draw attention to an increase in the number of notifications
Of new cases during the year. These figures indicate that there can be no relaxation
in an urban area, such as Hammersmith, to control this disease through early
diagnosis, and vigilant search for the source of the infection, and with protection
or treatment of contacts, as appropriate.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH:
The highlight of 1969, insofar as Environmental Health is concerned, was the
coming into force of the Housing Act, 1969, with its emphasis on the repair and rehabilitation
of houses; coupled with the continuing need to deal with unfit property
and to improve the environment. This new legislation, with increased activities in
other housing and environmental fields, e.g. inspection of houses in multiple occupation,
will entail a great deal of additional work for the Public Health Inspectorate
.
The fluoridation of water supplies has not yet proved to be possible within the
area of the Metropolitan Water Board.
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