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TO THE CHAIRMAN AND MEMBERS OF
THE HEALTH COMMITTEE
Lady McEntee, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I present herewith a report on the Health Services in the
Borough during the calendar year 1953. Since I am required to
deal generally with all matters of public health interest, the report
includes those personal health services which were transferred to
the County Council as the Local Health Authority on the appointed
day of the National Health Service Act. These services are referred
to in my capacity as Area Medical Officer and by courtesy of the
County Medical Officer.
The Essex Report on the Census of 1951 became available in
March, 1954, and the more important tables affecting Walthamstow
are included in detail. During the intercensal period since 1931,
the population decreased by 11,837, or 8.9% of the 1931 population.
There was an increase in population in Hale End Ward, but a
decrease in all others.
Private households (or families) increased from 34,973 to
38,847, and structurally separate dwellings from 28,639 to 33,213.
Both dwellings and families were smaller, since rooms per dwelling
occupied fell from 5.11 in 1931 to 4.83 in 1951, and private households
(or families) per occupied dwelling fell from 1.22 to 1.17.
Rooms per household fell from 4.18 to 4.13, persons per room from
0.9 to 0.75, and persons per household from 3.76 to 3.10.
Table 13 gives a valuable analysis of various household arrangements,
i.e. piped water, cooking, sink, water closet and fixed bath.
Staff changes included the retirement of Mr. L. W. Kemp,
Chief Sanitary Inspector, who retired in March, 1953, after nearly
46 years' service with the Borough Council. He was succeeded by
Mr. W. R. Richards, who was previously Deputy Chief Sanitary
Inspector.
Hospital accommodation was reasonably satisfactory, except for
the continued lack of accommodation for the elderly and chronic
sick. A considerable amount of time was again required in dealing
with persons who needed institutional accommodation but who
refused to accept it. Details of these cases are given and fortunately
application for power of compulsory removal under Section 47 of
the National Health Service Act 1948, did not become necessary.