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To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Lambeth
Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you the 97th Annual Report upon
the health of the Borough of Lambeth. The general health of the
population has been excellent. The death rate is under 11 per
thousand, the infantile mortality under 26 per thousand live births
and the birth rate almost 16, all figures indicative of a thriving,
healthy community. With the expectation of life for a boy at birth
today of 67.06 years and of a girl of 72.35 years the proportion
of the population over 65 is increasing and is likely to do so
for many years to come. The effect of the postwar social legislation
however together with the generally difficult housing conditions
have combined to lessen the sense of responsibility of the younger
generations for their old parents who instead of receiving the
loving care of their children are left more and more to their own
resources. It is here that Old Peoples clubs are carrying on such
useful and successful work. The legislation precludes the Council
from taking any direct share in their work as they may only give
financial help to Old Peoples Associations in specified circumstances.
There is no doubt whatever that a direct responsibility
placed upon the Council would lead to much improvement. The care
of the aged ought to be a parochial responsibility making use of
the intimate local knowledge of the local council and of their
officers and not as at present leaving the burden to be shared by
voluntary organisations with the County Council.
The old people themselves are often to blame for much discomfort
as many still look upon help under the National Assistance Act,
1948 as a form of public charity to be eschewed at all costs.
Their difficulties in not maintaining direct contact with advice
and help from children is just one more aspect of the problem
created by the lack of houses. During the year 790 new houses and
flats were built compared with 233 and 317 in the two previous
years and 1951 houses and flats in 1938, but families in need
still number many thousands.
The improvement in the prospects of sanitary inspectors to
obtain a reasonable reward for their responsibilities will, it is
hoped lead to more entrants into their ranks which are at the
moment, far too few to offset retirement and wastage from sickness,
etc. The Council are fortunate to have a full complement of
inspectors.
I am grateful to all members of the Council and especially to
the Public Health Committee for their recognition of difficulties
and the help so readily accorded, to all the chief officers of
the Council for their never failing assistance and especially to
the staff of the Public Health department for their unswerving
loyalty and devotion to duty.
I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
A.G.G.Thompson
July, 1954 Medical Officer of Health