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Of 22 deaths from accidents, 14 were due to motor vehicles; the
accident death rate of 0.3 per 1,000 population remained the same as
for 1962; there were six deaths from suicide compared with seven in
the previous year.
Deaths from Cancer of the Lung continue to increase over the past
three years by 16 whereas deaths for all forms of Cancer show an
increase of only three over the same period. Deaths from Respiratory
Tuberculosis decreased by two and the low figure of two deaths is the
same as in 1959. The peak ages for notifications of Pulmonary
Tuberculosis were at 20 to 35 years and over 55 years. With two
exceptions the cases were evenly distributed throughout the wards of
the Borough.
Old People's Welfare
The Abbeyfield Society have continued to provide new homes in
the Borough but the project of the Beckenham Old People's Welfare
Committee for the provision of flatlets has been held up in the planning
stage though it is believed that soon but with fewer flatlets it will be
able to proceed.
The Beckenham Old People's Welfare Committee and Beckenham
Council's project for the first purpose-built combined kitchen and day
centre in Beckenham is well advanced and building is likely to start
in August 1964. The strenuous efforts of this Committee under virile
and imaginative leadership are bearing fruit and it is to be hoped that
the competitive efforts of all the Old People's Welfare Committees
will be carried harmoniously into the new Borough without any loss
of individuality.
Voluntary Organisations
Many of the organisations which support old peoples welfare
work are also interested in many other aspects of social work. The
report mentions in particular the Tuberculosis Care Committee and
the Women's Voluntary Service. But the many other local organisations
who are represented at an annual meeting convened by the North West
Kent Council of Social Service and are responsible for various aspects
of welfare work for handicapped persons are deserving of great
appreciation for their efforts.
Home Safety
Accident prevention in the house is a particular form of health
education which is becoming of increasing importance. The report of
the Home Safety Officer refers to the alarming fact that exactly twice
as many home accidents as last year were treated at Beckenham
Hospital. Most of these were due to cuts, fractures and burns. In
connection with burns it is likely that regulations under the Consumer
Protection Act will be made which will prevent the sale of inflammable
nightwear and prescribe standards and non-flammability tests oi
materials to which manufacturers must conform.
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