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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 1948,
The National Health Service Act, 1946, came into
operation on 5th July, 1948, and at the end of the year proposals for
the reorganisation of the personal health services were under
consideration. Simultaneously, the National Assistance Act, 1948,
containing important provisions for the care of the aged, became
operative. The administration of the environmental, sanitary, and
epidemiological services was not affected by these major legislative
changes.
During the year 1948, the general health of the
community was good. There was a fall in the birth rate from. 17.9
per 1000 of population to 14,8 per 1000 of population. The death
rate was lower. The infantile mortality rate of 28 per 1000 live
births was a new low record for the Borough. The maternal mortality
rate remained low.
An epidomic of Measles occurred during the Spring
and early Summer. Otherwise there was no unusual incidence of
infectious diseases. The child population, within the age groups
subject to immunisation, was free from Diphtheria,
The first visit to the Borough of a Mass Radiography
Unit in April, 1948, confirmed the value of this service for the
detection of early disease of the chest, and for the prevention of
chronic ill-health.
The deficiency of housing accommodation continued
to be the most adverse influence affecting the public health. At
the end of the year there were 3,750 applicants on the waiting list.
The serious discomfort being endured by some of these families calls
for early relief, from local, regional, or national housing resources.
Encouraging progress was made on the Council's schemes for permanent
houses. Twenty-two permanent houses were completed and occupied,
and thirty-nine houses were under construction.
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), who has also given valuable service in promoting
the provision of temporary housing accommodation, in sustaining the
habitability of houses, and preserving the amenities 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.
I thank members of the Council for their advice and
help during the year, and I am grateful to the officers of the
Council for their close co-operation.
I am,
Kr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
ENEAS J. MAC INTYRE
Medical Officer of Health.
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