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10
The care of the aged continues to be an ever-increasing
problem, and were it not for the work of voluntary agencies,
especially that of the W.V.S., this problem would be much more
serious. The provision for the aged sick, which is the responsibility
of the Hospital Boards, falls far short of the demand for
beds. The institutional care of aged infirm requiring care and
attention, a responsibility of the County Council, is not yet met
in North-West Kent. The Local Authorities, such as Bromley,
have little power to act except in the provision of homes and
removal of aged under Section 47 of the National Assistance Act.
The vital statistics of 1949 show a death rate of 10.9, a birth
rate of 16.1, and an infant mortality rate of 15.5, all below the
average of the country as a whole and of the non-County
Boroughs in particular.
The Infectious Diseases statistics show a repetition of the
infantile paralysis epidemic of 1947, but milder in extent and
character. There were seven cases notified, no deaths, and only
three cases showing paralysis.
Diphtheria continues to remain in the trough of its wave
of incidence, and this continues to give hope that immunisation
is a controlling factor.
Scarlet Fever was extensive, but mild in form; 51.1% of
the cases notified were home nursed.
I have again included in this Annual Report a report on the
work of the School Health Services.
The appointment of Dr. Carter-Locke, in January, 1949, as
my Deputy, has been invaluable to me, and as he is an
experienced officer I have benefited greatly by his help and
advice. The Sanitary Inspectors have been short staffed throughout
the main part of the year, but, in spite of this, Mr. Woods
has been able to maintain an efficient service. He has been
Chief Sanitary Inspector for some twenty-four years, and his
knowledge of the district and of the work of the Health Department
are invaluable to the public and to the Local Authority.
I hold him in very high esteem as a colleague in the Public
Health Service.
To Mr. Judd and the clerical staff I am again indebted for
the compilation of these statistics and for a year of enthusiastic
work.
I would, finally, like to express my indebtedness to the
members of the Council for the confidence placed in me and for
the support they have given me at all times.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
K. E. TAPPER,
Medical Officer of Health