View report page

3
Public Health Department,
43, White Horse Road,
Stepney, E.l.
May, 1940.
To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Metropolitan Borough of Stepney.
Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I beg to present herewith my Annual Report for the year 1939.
Owing to the declaration of war on 3rd September, 1939, and the
consequent disturbance to the work of the Public Health Department, it has
not been possible to present a full report as in other years. An abridged
report is therefore presented to you.
The population of the Borough as estimated by the Registrar General is
approximately 197,200.
Large numbers of families evacuated from the Borough during the year
and especially after the outbreak of war. Accurate comparisons cannot
therefore be made with previous years.
The Infantile Mortality rate was 53.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, which
is the lowest figure recorded in the Borough. The Maternal Mortality rate
was 3.35 per 1,000 live and still births.
The incidence of Infectious Disease was low throughout the year although
including figures for the notification of measles and whooping cough both of
which diseases were made fully notifiable in October, 1938.
* * * *
Dr. J. W. Crawford, the tuberculosis officer, was appointed Deputy
Medical Officer of Health on 22nd February, and Dr. R. M. Orpwood, the
assistant tuberculosis officer was appointed Tuberculosis Officer as from the
27th July.
*****
On the outbreak of war none of the Council's Health Services was
discontinued. The full staff of Sanitary Inspectors and Health Visitors was
retained and the full number of Infant Welfare Centres, Ante-Natal Clinics
and Diphtheria Immunisation Clinics continued.
Stepney Green Branch Tuberculosis Dispensary was temporarily closed,
but the full tuberculosis services continued at the main dispensary in Steels
Lane, Devonport Street, Commercial Road.
***
The organisation of the Casualty Services for Civil Defence placed
additional duties on the staff of the Public Health Department, and all
concerned shouldered these burdens and responsibilities with commendable
willingness and efficiency.
I desire to express my thanks once more to the Chairman and Members,
of all Committees associated with the work of the Public Health Department,
and to the members of the staff for their help and co-operation.
I am,
Your Worship, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
F. R. O'SHIEL,
Medical Officer of Health,