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HEALTH DEPARTMENT,
TOWN HALL,
HORNSEY, N.8.
30th July, 1962.
To the Worshipful the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors,
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I herewith submit my Annual Report on the health services
under local authority administration for the year ended 31st December,
1961.
The mid-year population as estimated by the Registrar General
was 97,060, showing an increase of 490 over the previous year.
The birth rate of 20.7 reached the highest level since 1947.
Illegitimate births rose to 10.9 per cent; compared with 9.7 in 1960.
The adjusted death rate for all age groups was 10.6: next to the
lowest in the county and comparing favourably with 12.0 for the
country as a whole. A disturbing feature was the rise in the
infantile death rate to 28.8; and 44.8 for illegitimate births. There
were two maternal deaths both in hospital; and the first time since
1957 that Hornsey has suffered a mortality attributed to childbirth.
The health of children of all ages was well maintained. Apart
from an anticipated outbreak of measles no epidemic occurred during
the year.
At the other extreme of life much is being done locally, both
by voluntary and by public agencies, for the health and well-being of
the elderly. In this now considerable undertaking the aim of all
must be to make the years of retirement a happy and worthwhile
experience, free from boredom and loneliness.
The Borough health department continued to make headway under
the Clean Air Act, though this exacting duty involved a disproportionate
amount of time of public health inspector and clerical staff alike.
A third Smoke Control Order came into force by the end of the year,
and the Council resolved to do everything in its power to ensure that
progress is made as rapidly as possible. Convinced of the ill
effects of atmospheric pollution on health, householders have given
excellent co-operation.
Action under the Housing Acts continued in its importance.
Representations were made for slum clearance on Stage VH of the
Campsbourne Area, and a number of individual unfit houses in the
Borough closed and/or demolished. New standards were adopted by
the Council in relation to houses in multiple occupation; and so far
as possible, without neglecting their many other duties, your highly
experienced staff of public health inspectors increased their efforts
in house-to-house inspections.
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