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ANNUAL REPORT
of the
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR THE YEAR 19 5 5
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
Borough of Hendon.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to submit my Annual Report for the year 1955.
The vital statistics for the year show a satisfactory state of affairs with an
estimated slight decrease in the total population.
The infant mortality rate, which for many years has been accepted as a delicate
measure of the standard of public health in the community, is maintained at the low
figure of 20.7 per 1,000 live births.
The statistics show that Hendon has experienced the same gradual increase in
the number of cases of deaths from cancer of the lung, with the same preponderance
of males.that has been the experience throughout the country generally.
The number of cases of poliomyelitis in 1955 was the highest ever recorded in
Hendon since the disease was first made notifiable in 1900.
The number of road accidents shows an increase on the last year's record total.
The Mass X-Ray Unit made three visits to Hendon during the year, including an
intensive road-by-road survey of the Watling Estate. The results of these tours were
very encouraging and the Chest Physician has suggested that most of the cases of
active pulmonary tuberculosis in the Borough are probably known to the Chest Clinic
and attending for observation or treatment,
During the year nearly 2,000 inspections of food premises were carried out by
the Sanitary Inspectors of the Department. When the Food Hygiene Regulations 1955
become operative, a further improvement in food hygiene can be expected.
The Housing Repairs and Rents Act 1954, made provision for the landlord to
increase the rent of a house on condition that the house is in a good state of repair
and reasonably suitable for occupation. The tenant was given the right to apply to
the Local Authority for a Certificate of Disrepair, but since the legislation was
introduced the number of applications for these certificates has gradually decreased
and one must assume either that the landlords are not asking for the permitted
increase in rent or that the tenants are satisfied with the conditions under which
they are living.
In the report I have included the observations of the Housing Officer and an
abstract of the report of the Hon. Secretary of the Old People's Welfare Committee.
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