London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Paddington 1935

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington, Metropolitan Borough of]

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3
TO HIS WORSHIP THE MAYOR, THE ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE
METROPOLITAN BOROUGH OF PADDINGTON.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you my Annual Report for the year 1935 as required by the Statutes
and Orders applicable to my office.
During the year the health of the Borough continued to be good, and it is satisfactory to note a
substantial improvement in infantile mortality, both absolutely and relatively to other London
Boroughs. Since infantile mortality varies in a remarkable way from year to year it would be
premature to attach too much importance to this reduction.
The year was one of steady progress in strengthening the various services for securing the health
of the community, and particularly of mothers and young children. A large and convenient site
in Harrow Road was acquired for the purpose of erecting a Maternity and Child Welfare Centre, and
the lease of a commodious building in Westbourne Ward was secured for the purposes of a Day Nursery.
During the year a number of unhealthy areas and individual unfit premises were surveyed and
considerable progress was made in the closing of the worst basements. A survey of overcrowding in
the Borough was in progress at the end of the year.
By the decease in June, 1935, of Mr. E. E. Gower, Chief Clerk in the Public Health Department,
the Council lost a loyal and capable officer.
I have again to express my appreciation of the loyal help of the staff of the Public Health
Department of the Council and to thank the members of the Public Health, Maternity and Child
Welfare, and Special Housing Committees for the support and kind consideration which they have
extended to me during the past year.
I have the honour to be,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
G.E. Oates.
M.D., M.R.C.P., D.P.H.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Town Hall,
Paddington Green, W.2.
20th June, 1936.