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3
I should like to draw your attention to some of the outstanding
tacts which emerge from a study of the vital statistics for the area.
(Figures in brackets refer to 1948).
Population.
The total population for Chislehurst & Sidcup 73,850
Civilian population (upon which Birth and Death rates
and Infectious Disease rates are calculated) 73,510
Death Rate.
7.9 of the Civilian population (9.1).
Birth Rate.
15.8 of the Civilian population (16.4).
Infant Mortality Rate.
19 (16.7).
Infectious Diseases.
The most notable features about the infectious disease notifications
were the number of cases of infantile paralysis, mostly of a very mild
type, and the marked increase of Tuberculosis Notifications, which
bring the Tuberculosis Register of cases to nearly a thousand. This
does not necessarily mean an increase of incidence, but is due in the
main to the transfer of cases to new housing estates and to the greater
facilities for early diagnosis—greater attention is necessary for adequate
supervision of those cases nursed at home.
Once again I feel it incumbent on me to draw attention to the
inadequate provision for institutional care of the aged. There is a
serious lack of beds for the aged sick, a responsibility which rests with
Hospital Board*. There is need, too, in North-West Kent, for institutional
care of the aged infirm, a responsibility of the Kent County
Council. The problem is an ever-increasing one, the -rate of provision
of beds is falling far behind the rate of increase of need. Were it not
for the activity of voluntary bodies who are doing invaluable work,
worthy of your support, and, if necessary, financial help, the state of
affairs would, indeed, be serious The supply of Domestic Help for
the home care of the aged is limited to domestic service, and workers
are not permitted to act as "sitters in." Domestic Help can only be
provided for the period necessary for domestic work. The "Meals
on Wheels" service is coming into increasing use and the visiting of
the lonely aged offers a very useful scope for voluntary effort. The
next census, which will be taken in 1951, should give us some valuable
facts and figures about the extent of this problem and it should then
be possible to consider further ways and means of overcoming it. It