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remains the same there were 6 less of these deaths than in the
previous year.
On the debit side there were 67 fewer total deaths. Other
death rates except all forms of cancer showed a decrease. The
death rate from cancer of the lung and bronchus remained the
same.
Statistics derived from the 1971 Census and commented
upon in an introductory factual statement are of great interest and
in particular the proportionate growth and population percentage
contains some surprises.
Included for the first time in this year's report are tables
showing monthly road accidents in the Borough for the years
1969, 1970 and 1971 and annual totals for the years 1965 to 1971.
The total accidents in the age range 16-50 years show a continuing
improvement from 1965 to 1971 whereas the accidents to
children 15 years or under show no improvement at all.
The monthly road accident figure shows the highest number
in September to December and the least accidents in April over
the 3 years.
Maternal and Child Health
Early in 1971, the scheme started last year of attaching by
mutual agreement midwives of this local authority to group practices
or groups of practices was satisfactorily completed.
The scheme whereby the local authority midwife attends the
mother in hospital was extended and either a full or modified
scheme is now almost complete for the whole Borough.
Miss Martin, non-medical Supervisor of Midwives describes
this scheme later in the Report, and it merits special attention.
Also of interest is the extension of Training, Observation and
Community experience and the progress towards integration. It
is clear from the figures that there is a considerable amount of
domiciliary work to be provided for though it is difficult to
forecast where it will finally level out. Though confinements in
the home attended by Authority Midwives fell by 55 and the
number of mothers delivered in hospital and attended postnatally
fell by 558, the number of all visits of Authority Midwives
increased by 430 over the figure for last year.
The report on Home Nursing shows that a start has been
made by a gradual change over from allocation to Home Nurses
of geographical areas of work to allocation by attachments or
liaison to six groups of medical practice. This scheme like the
midwife attachment was delayed originally by the need to carry