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15.3 (1965); there were 45 stillbirths representing a rate of 10.4 per 1,000 total live and
stillbirths indicating a considerable decrease compared to 13.4 in 1967 — this is consistent
with the National figure but not with Greater London which shows a slight
increase from 13.3 (1967) to 13.5.
Statistics in relation to infant deaths, including neonatal, early neonatal and
perinatal deaths show slight increases. There was also an increase in deaths from all
causes i.e. 3,732 (a corrected rate of 10.6 per 1,000 population) compared with 3,456
(10.0) for 1967, this being consistent with an increase in the National and Greater
London figures.
There was no serious outbreak of infectious disease during the year.
In my Report for 1967, I referred to the introduction of the National Health Service
(Family Planning) Act 1967 and stated that I should be dealing specifically in my next
Report with the considerations to be given by the Council in regard to the implications
of family planning and the Council's recommendations thereon. These are referred to in
detail in the respective sections of my Report for the year under review but I would
wish to highlight the fact that the introduction of a comprehensive family planning
service should prove to be of immense value to society in general and it should be the
means of mitigating a considerable amount of family distress and social difficulty.
During 1968, considerable progress was made in attachment services to general
practitioners and this form of service is in my opinion vital to the whole concept of a
sound and economic domiciliary health service. General practitioners who were bensfitting
by attachment services were enthusiastic in their praise for the help given.
The staffing situation in 1968 showed some improvement but the administration
service of the Department still needs to be strengthened and this is especially
necessary when one considers the Council's forward planning for the development of
the services and the responsibilities arising from the establishment of new projects.
The staffing requirements of the various sections of the department were
constantly under review and the appointment of senior home nurses responsible for
groups of nurses and the employment of nursing auxiliaries for the first time to
replace home nurses where cases did not require the full skills of a qualified nurse
proved to be both economic and advantageous in ensuring that the relative degrees
of home nursing were given.
Homelessness as indicated in my Report for 1967 still remains a big problem and
undoubtedly plans will need to be considered for providing additional units of
accommodation in 1969 since the upward trend in the number of cases needing to be
dealt with shows no abatement.
The formative years of any virtually new Department are bound to provide periods
of pressure and strain but it is with pleasure that I record my thanks once again for
the assistance given by all members of the staff and acknowledge the interest and
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