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ANNUAL REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Borough of Bexley.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present my Annual Report for
the year 1949.
The year under review was the first complete year
during which the National Health Service Act, 1946,
was in operation and the present report contains no
reference to the Part III Services transferred to the
Kent County Council as Local Health Authority, with
the exception of certain statistics supplied by the County
Medical Officer. It soon became clear that, although
much had been lost, the greater part remained and the
year has been one of considerable activity. However,
to meet the altered circumstances, the Councils of the
Boroughs of Bexley and Erith and the Urban District
of Crayford decided to appoint a Joint Medical Officer
of Health as from the 1st April, 1949. It is believed
that this arrangement has worked smoothly, although
there has been some duplication of effort. To meet this
the three Councils found it convenient to take joint
action in certain health matters which affected them in
common. In the early part of the year, the Councils of
Erith and Crayford entered into an agreement with the
Bexley Council for the joint use of the latter's Cleansing
Station and, later in the year, it was decided to take
joint action, also, in connection with a Clean Food Campaign
for the combined area. Certain health education
lectures given by the Medical Officer of Health were also
undertaken by him for the combined district and the
advantage of this was seen in the size of the audiences
which was very satisfactory indeed.
The vital statistics of the Borough have again been
satisfactory, indicating that the health of the population
has been well maintained. The birth rate at 14.02
per thousand of the population was lower than the rate
for 1948, which was 15.36. When one considers that
the rate for 1947 was 18.72 per thousand it is evident
that there has been no reversal in the locality of the
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