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3
ANNUAL REPORT OF THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH
FOR 1963
Town Hall,
Anerley Road, S.E.20
12th August, 1964.
To the Chairman and Members of the Urban District Council of Penge.
Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present my annual report for the year 1963, and in doing so I
must admit to having rather mixed feelings, because this is likely to prove the
last Annual Report presented to the Council of Penge Urban District, as by the
time the necessary statistics are available for 1964 Penge will have become part of
the new Greater London Borough of Bromley. Looking back I feel that one
of the most satisfying events was, as a result of an immunisation campaign, the
elimination of diphtheria, and today I can report that for sixteen years there has
not been a case of this disease in Penge. It can, however, still occur and the need
for immunisation remains as important as ever.
Turning to the Vital Statistics, it will be noted that the birth rate has again
risen and so, unfortunately, the percentage of illegitimate births. There has been
a rise in the death rate but this can be accounted for by the increasing proportion
of elderly people among those who have died. In a district such as this there are
always a number of old people living alone, and one must acknowledge the
valuable work done by the various voluntary bodies on their behalf.
A considerable amount of the Department's time has been occupied with
inspections of houses with a view to my making representations for the declaration
of clearance areas, and in spite of pressure of other work we have succeeded in
keeping ahead of the schedule planned in 1960.
Apart from a large number of cases of measles and an outbreak of Sonne
Dysentery, the number of cases of infectious disease notified remained low, and
there were no deaths among them.
As this will be the last Annual Report that I shall present I would like to
place on record my appreciation of the kindness and consideration I have received
from members of the Council and the willing help given me bv the Officers and
Staff, especially those of this Department. Also, I would wish to acknowledge
the ready co-operation I have always received from my professional colleagues
both in Public Health services and general practice.