View report page

8
Turning from soliloquy to hard facts, the vital statistics show
no dramatic changes from the previous year. A further small rise
in the population is recorded, the death and infant mortality rates
both show a small increase, but the stillbirth rate is well down compared
with the previous year. Generally speaking, the alterations
do not seem to be of any special significance but those who are
interested will be able to find detailed facts and figures in the section
devoted to vital statistics.
I must now refer to the staff changes which have occurred
during the past year. Following my promotion from your Deputy
Medical Officer of Health to your Medical Officer of Health, a new
deputy was appointed in the person of Dr. A. J. I. Kelynack, who
has delighted everyone with his charm of manner and the quality
of his work. In addition, we welcomed Mr. Downing who has ably
filled a vacancy in the ranks of the sanitary inspectors.
I should especially like to thank Mr. Kermode for all the hard
work he has performed during this his first full year as your Chief
Sanitary Inspector and under whose guidance the whole staff have
worked so well—a fact which I acknowledge with grateful thanks.
This is also my opportunity for expressing my gratitude to my
colleagues in the Hospital and General Practitioner services who
have co-operated so graciously during the year, and thus lightened
my task materially. There are many other individuals and
organisations to whom I am indebted and to all I say " thank you
very much."
Finally, I should like to thank the members of the Public Health
Committee for their continued interest and support, and trust they
will like the " new look " which has been given to this year's report
both as regards cover and contents.
I am.
Your obedient Servant,
H. B. C. CARTER-LOCKE,
Medical Officer of Health.
May, 1956.