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To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors
of the Borough of Sutton and Cheam.
Mr, Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you the Annual
Report on the health of the Borough for the year 1947.
The serious deficiency in housing accommodation
was the most adverse factor affecting the health of the
people. The completion and occupation of 115 temporary
bungalows at Cuddington was a small but welcome contribution,
but there is a most urgent need to release many more families
from the discomforts of the single all purpose room, which is
demoralising and disruptive of family life. The problem of
large families in overcrowded conditions remains untouched.
The number of applicants for houses rose to 3500. As a
result of the steady rise in population, and the concurrent
deterioration of properties there is an increase in the
annual demand for houses. This is not being provided for
by present or projected building within the Borough. It is
apparent that additional building sites should be found in
other areas, if minimum essential requirements for housing
and for health are to be mot within a reasonable time.
The general health and nutritional standards of
the community were maintained, but the stresses of adverse
housing conditions are reacting on many families,
A severe epidemic of Poliomyelitis was the
principal epidemiological feature of the year. Otherwise
there was no abnormal incidence of infectious diseases.
The child population was free from cases of Diphtheria, a
result attributable to Immunisation.
There was a further rise in the birth rate, and
a fall in the death rate. The infantile mortality rate was
reduced, and the maternal mortality rate remained low#
The work of general sanitation, of the prevention
of nuisances, and of the protection of food was efficiently
carried out under the direction of the Chief Sanitary Inspector
(Mr. C.W.Newbery) to whom much credit is due for hi3 constant
endeavour to sustain the habitability of houses, and to
preserve the amenity of the district.
The water supply of the district maintained a
high standard of chemical and bacteriological purity.
Effective control by daily sampling and by chlorination was
continued.
The Council's Civil Ambulance Service operated
efficiently, and the number of calls showed a substantial
increase.
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