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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR THE YEAR 1943.
August, 1944.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Borough of Hendon,
I have the honour to submit my Fourteenth Annual Report on the health
conditions of the Borough for the year 1943. In accordance with the instructions
of the Ministry of Health it has been prepared as an interim report and reference
has only been made to matters of particular interest.
No detailed comments have, therefore, bean made concerning the general
activities of the Public Health Department, but these have been fully maintained
and where necessary extended.
The year has been one of great legislative activity, affecting Local
Government, the two most important measures being the Education Bill and the
Government White Paper on a National Health Service, the latter issued in the early
part of 1944. The general effect of these proposals is to make the major
Authorities, namely the County and County Borough Councils, responsible for health
and education.
While it is undoubtedly true that Local Government boundaries are in need
of revision, the proposals bear hardly on areas which have shown their willingness
and ability to establish and maintain first class social services. Fortunately,
wide powers of delegation are contained in both measures and their operational
success will depend largely on the sense of local responsibility which is fostered,
and that again will depend on how wide an interpretation is given to the powers of
delegation.
GENERAL HEALTH CONDITIONS.
Vital Statistics.
I am glad to report that the health conditions continued to be satisfactory,
??? revealed by vital statistics and by the continued observation maintained
through the Maternity and Child Welfare and School Medical Services.
The number of births which had already reached a high level, namely
2,081 in 1942, increased to 2,223. The infantile mortality maintained a low level,
namely 39 per thousand live births, as compared with 34 in the previous year, and
with 49 for the country generally and 58 for the County Boroughs and greater towns
including London.