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TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS
OF THE BOROUGH OF FINCHLEY
October, 1948
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report on the health, vital statistics and sanitary circumstances
of the Borough for the year 1947.
Since 1938, Annual Reports have been typewritten and have been bare summaries of the work of
the Department. In order to make a more permanent record, statistical information pertaining to the past
ten years has been collated and included in this Report.
The vital statistics for 1947 are remarkably good. The birth rate is the highest since 1920—the infantile
mortality rate at 20.5 is the lowest ever recorded for the Borough and is only one half the rate for England
and Wales. The neo-natal death rate is also the lowest on record while the maternal mortality and stillbirth
rates are both very satisfactory.
The incidence of infectious diseases was low. No case of diphtheria has occurred since August 1946
and there has been no death since 1942. This satisfactory state of affairs is the result of the energetic manner
in which immunisation has been tackled over the past fourteen years.
There was an increase in the number of new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and a slight increase in
the number of deaths in males.
The housing position does not improve. Overcrowding does not decrease in spite of all the Council
have done in providing new housing accommodation. The condition of many of the older houses has
continued to deteriorate because of the difficulty in getting the necessary repairs carried out which is largely
due to licence restrictions and the shortage of materials and labour.
In accordance with the provisions of the National Health Service Act, 1946, the Maternity and Child
Welfare and Ambulance Services together with 119 members of your staff have been transferred to the
County Council. Although none of the staff wished to leave your service all of them have accepted their transfer
in good grace and I have no doubt that they will continue to give to their new masters the same loyal
service which they have given to you.
I have to thank all members of the staff of the Department for their loyalty and industry throughout
the year and I would especially mention Mr. J. Gray, M.B.E., Senior Sanitary Inspector, and
Mr. W. L. N. Relleen, Chief Clerk, for their assistance in the preparation of this report.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
A. A. TURNER,
Medical Officer of Health.
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