View report page

11
This year the Registrar-General has given his estimate of the
mid-year population of Romford as 72,610 which compares with
68,860 last year, an increase of 3,750.
For comparative purposes the Registrar-General includes Romford
amongst the 148 smaller towns with populations ranging from
25,000 to 50,000 at the 1931 Census, and, in this list, Romford takes
6th place.
During 1948, the total number of live births registered was
1,337, and the total number of deaths registered was 597. The
difference of 740 gives the natural increase in the population. As
this number falls short of the Registrar-General's estimated increase
of 3,750, it follows that the balance of 3,010 is made up of excess
of Immigration over Emigration, and this again is largely accounted
for by the development of the Harold Hill Estate.
For 1948, we estimate the Birth Rate to be 18.4 per 1,000 of
the estimated resident population, a decrease of 5.2 compared with
1947.
The Rate for England and Wales for 1948 is given as 17.9, and
for the 148 smaller towns with populations ranging from 25,000 to
50,000 at the 1931 Census, the Rate is 19.2.
The Death Rate for Romford is estimated at 8.2 per 1,000 of
the estimated resident population; the lowest yet recorded. For
last year the rate was 9.7. The comparable rates for England and
Wales, and for the 148 smaller towns, as referred to above, are 10.8
and 10.7 respectively.
The chief causes of death in order of frequency were:—1.
Diseases of Heart and Circulation; 2. Cancer; 3. Bronchitis, Pneumonia,
and Other Respiratory Diseases; 4. All Forms of Tuberculosis.
The order remains the same as last year.
The Maternal Mortality Rate, which is the number of Maternal
Deaths, due to conditions associated with pregnancy or confinement,
per 1,000 total (live and still) births is 0.7. The corresponding rate
for England and Wales is 1.0.
The Infant Mortality Rate, or the Death Rate of Infants under
1 year of age per 1,000 live births is 22.4 a decrease of 1.6 and the
lowest yet recorded. The corresponding figures for England and
Wales, and the 148 smaller towns are 34.0 and 32.0 respectively.
1.—GENERAL PROVISION OF HEALTH SERVICES FOR
THE AREA.
(i) Public Health Officers of the Authority.
Particulars of the staff, as at the 4th July, 1948, are given at
the beginning of this report. Since then, the Assistant Medical
Officers, Health Visitors, Midwives, Home Help Organiser, and
Staff of the Day Nurseries, although still working in the Romford
Area, have been transferred to the Staff of the Local Health Authority,
viz., the Essex County Council. At the end of the year, negotiations
were still proceeding with the County, as to the proportion
of time to be given by the Medical Officer of Health in his capacity
of Area Medical Officer, and by the Clerical Staff.