London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Orpington 1961

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Orpington]

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Morbidity Statistics.

The following is a summary of the weekly details received from the Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance during 1961:—

Four weeks endingNumber of first certificates of incapacity received.
24th January1,125
21st February1,887
21st March902
18th April650
16th May650
13th June599
11th July565
8th August490
5th September476
3rd October545
31st October971
28th November911
26th December896

The sickness rate followed the usual trend, namely, the highest
incidence of illness occurred during the early and late part of the year
with the lowest figure being recorded in August.
Staff Medical Examinations.
One hundred and twenty members, or potential members of the
staff were given a medical examination during 1961. One hundred
and ten were examined in 1960 and seventy-seven in 1959.
Unemployment.
I am indebted to the Manager of the local Employment Exchange
for the following information with regard to unemployment in the
area during 1961:—
"For the first seven months of the year the number of persons
unemployed was lower than in 1960. The latter part of the year,
except for October, showed a slight increase on the previous year.
The peak figure was in January, when 210 persons were registered as
unemployed, the lowest in May with 151. There has been little long
term unemployment except perhaps in the older age groups and the
physically handicapped."