View report page

Public Hea3.th Department,
Town Hall,
Upper Street, N.1.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the Metropolitan Borough of Islington.
I beg to submit the Annual Report for 1944. It is again an interim
report, and sets out the work of the Public Health Department under the
direction of the Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Freeman, who in April 1945
was released at the request of the Ministry of Health to join the Civil
Affairs branch of the Army for work in occupied territories.
The year 1944 was notable for the resumption of enemy activity over
London, and Islington received a considerable share of 'fly-bomb' and rocket
attacks, resulting in serious deterioration of social conditions, particularly
housing. Also, as a result of these attacks two day nurseries were rendered
unusable, but fortunately without casualties to children or staff, and three
Welfare Centres were damaged but the work therein was not suspended.
The dislocation of social life and the resultant movement of
population increased the difficulties of maintaining the health services,
and in general diminished attendances at the various clinics. Nevertheless,
the health sex-vices of the Borough were maintained and even increased in
some directions, and the general health of the Borough remains satisfactory.
There has been a slight increase in the infant mortality rate and
the general death rate, to both of which increases the deaths listed under
"other violent causes" (including enemy action) have materially contributed.
It is interesting to note that the small rise in the still-birth rate is
confined entirely to legitimate births. There has, in fact, been a fall in
the rate of illegitimate still-births.
There has been no serious epidemic of infectious disease but the
increased incidence of whooping cough and the rise in the number of deaths
therefrom in children under 1 year old, illustrates the increasing relative
importance of this disease as a serious factor in mortality in infancy and
morbidity in older childhood.
Diphtheria Immunisation has been maintained, and there were only two
deaths from diphtheria, both in non-immunised children.
As in most areas, Pulmonary tuberculosis again shows an increased
incidence, but there has been a fall in the incidence of non-pulmonary
tuberculosis, and the death rate from tuberculosis continues to fall slightly.
Reference is made in the report to the completion of the day nursery
programme; to new developments in relation to mass radiology, illegitimate
children, and additional maternity beds; and to extension of work under the
Scabies Order, and in rodent control.
As in previous war years, shortage of staff has been a constant
difficulty and there have been many changes, particularly among the temporary
clerical staff; It is with regret that I have to record the death of Mr.
L.H. Pearson, who had been a Sanitary Inspector with the Borough Council for
17 years. Mr, Cryer, Sanitary Inspector, was released from army service and
resumed his rtuti.es with the Council in February, Miss Daniels, Sanitary
Inspector under the Factories Act, retired in July after 29 years service with
the Borough Gouncil, and Mr. Riling, District Sanitary Inspector, resigned in
October on' obtaining appointment elsewhere. The vacancies caused have not
yet been filled,
I desire on behalf of the Medical Officer of Health to thank all
members of the Public Health Department for loyal co-operation during a
particularly difficult year, and to express appreciation of the courtesy and
consideration shown by the Chairmen and members of the Public Hoalth and
Maternity and Child Welfare Committees.
K. M. Hirst
Acting Medical Officer of Health
October, 1945.