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PREFACE
TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE
ROYAL BOROUGH OF KINGSTON-UPON-THAMES.
ANNUAL REPORT. 1958.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the
public health and social conditions of the Borough for 1958.
The Report is on a similar pattern to that for previous years
and follows the general lines indicated by the Minister of
Health. The information is given on essential matters
affecting the health of the people and the Report is in
accordance with Ministry of Health Circular 22/58.
I am indebted to Mr. G.C. Smith, Chief Public Health
Inspector, with special reference to Sections C - E, and
Mr. M.E. Powell, Administrative Officer, for assistance in
compiling the Report,
Population - The estimated mid 1958 home population
given by the Registrar General is 38,800 an estimated increase
of 210 persons compared with 1957. It is always necessary to
draw attention to the fact that this figure relates to the
resident population of the town and is used for the calculation
of the statistical data now presented. The actual day population
has been estimated to be about 300,000 persons who come
to the town for business, education and recreation purposes.
This is a special feature of the town which influences the
volume of work and responsibility of the Corporation.
Infectious Disease - The number of infectious disease
notifications received in 1958 was 469, which is 195 less than
in 1957, and is accounted for by a reduction in the number of
cases of measles and whooping cough.
Further progress was made in the active protection of the
child population against diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus,
smallpox, tuberculosis and poliomyelitis.
It has been a particular satisfaction to receive increasing
supplies of poliomyelitis vaccine sufficient to forward a
vigorous campaign of vaccination which is undoubtedly bringing
us nearer the stage of "high" protection of the whole
population.
In general the health of the people was very good, and
a high standard of hygiene was maintained.
Births - The number of live births for 1958 is 536 and
compares with 548 for 1957. The crude birth rate is 13.8
per 1,000 population compared with 14.2 for 1957.
Deaths - The number of deaths recorded in 1958 is 434
compared with 432 for 1957. This makes a crude death rate
of 11.2 which is the same as for 1957. The excess of births
over deaths was 102 compared with 11.6 for the previous year.