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The Birth Rate was 15.6 per 1,000 of the population
compared with 17.9 in 1949 the rate for England and
Wales for 1950 being 15.8. The Death Rate fell from
8.03 in 1949 to 7.89 i'n 1950 which compares favourably
with a rate of 11.6 for the Country as a whole. The
Registrar-General has supplied comparability factors for
1950. The standardised Birth Rate which allows for
comparison with other parts of the Country is 14.5 and
the standardised Death Rate is 9.5.
There were no deaths due to childbirth and a
Maternal Mortality Rate of nil reflects credit on the
ante-natal and obstetric services within the district.
The Infant Mortality Rate for 1950 was 27.6 per
l,000 live births and, although the rate was higher than
the 26.4 per 1,000 recorded in 1949, the number of infantile
deaths was actually one less in 1950 than in 1949. The
higher rate was, therefore, due to the smaller number of
births (443 in 1950, 500 in 1949). The rate for the Country
as a whole was. 29.8 and, excellent as these results are,
there is still room for improvement.
The welfare of old people received much prominence
during 1950. On receipt of the Ministry of Health
Circular 11/50, a townspeople's meeting was called by the
Chairman of the Urban District as a result of which a
Good Neighbours Association was formed for the purpose
of befriending old people living in loneliness and a devoted
team of voluntary workers has done much good work'
during the year.
In conclusion, I wish to express my sincere thank's
to the members of the Health Committee for their support
during the year and to the Senior Sanitary Inspector,
the Chief Clerk, and all members of the Staff of the
Health Department for their industry and loyal co-operation
during the year.
I am,
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN LANDON,
Medical Officer of Health.
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