View report page

4
Vital statistics show that the birth rate in Acton is about the
same in 1945 as it was in 1944, being 18.5 as against 18.8. The
Infant death rate is again satisfactorily low. In 1945 it was 40.4
as compared with 42.8 in 1944, and 46 for the whole of England
and Wales. The Infantile Mortality Rate is said to be one of the
most sensitive indices of the good social and hygienic conditions of
an area. With Acton's at present overcrowded and distressing
Housing conditions, for such a low figure to be reached is matter
for satisfaction, but also for a determination to do better still.
64% of the deaths in infants under one year occurred during' the
first month of life, and the majority of those during the first week.
Congenital deformities and Prematurity accounted for nearly all
those deaths, and these are the most difficult causes to prevent.
Infectious disease numbers were low except for Measles. There
was a country-wide epidemic of Measles which accounted for 519
cases of notified infectious disease out of a total of 844.
The attendance figures for all Welfare Clinics have gone up
and 85% of the mothers having babies in Acton attended the
Borough's clinics for ante-natal advice during the year. All the
work was heavier, necessitating the formation of an extra Health
Visitor's district in September 1945, and the engagement of an extra
full-time Health Visitor. The plan of having one Health Visitor
detailed specially for ante-natal work, attending all clinics, visiting
all pregnant women for survey of social and hygienic conditions,
and to give advice; taking all ante-natal exercises, classes, etc., is
working very successfully. The District Health Visitor who takes
over when the baby arrives, finds the ground well prepared, the
mother already knowledgeable as to what help she can get from the
Borough's services, and willing to receive and to take advantage
of the Health Visitor's expert knowledge.
Classes for prospective fathers have been held on one or two
occasions in the evenings, and have been appreciated and, we think,
found helpful.
Your Obedient Servants,
G. E. B. PAYNE,
E. MADELEY.