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5
LONDON BOROUGH OF CROYDON
ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
AND
PRINCIPAL SCHOOL MEDICAL OFFICER
FOR THE YEAR 1968
To the Chairman and Members of the Health Committee
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN
In accordance with statutory requirements I present this Report for
1968 on the health of the residents of the London Borough of Croydon.
Statistics
The birth rate was very slightly lower, and the general death rate
marginally higher than in 1967. The infant mortality rate was below that
for the country as a whole, but greater than usual for Croydon, because
the death rate for illegitimate babies was relatively high. One mother
died in childbirth, but there was no death associated with abortion. Fewer
persons died from cancer of the lung or from pulmonary tuberculosis than
in 1967.
Health Centres
The Department of Health and Social Security approved schemes to
adapt the Parkway Clinic at New Addington, and a new building in
South Norwood. The latter proposal was the subject of a public meeting
arranged by the local ratepayers association, at which the whole concept
of health centres and the special needs of the area were explained
by the family doctors and the local health authority. These talks and the
discussion which followed cleared many misunderstandings and misgivings
of potential patients. It was an excellent example of the importance
of proper communication and public participation.