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TO THE MAYOR ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE
BOROUGH OF SUTTON AND CHEAM
Mr. Mayor, Ladles and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present to you the Annual Report on
the health of the Borough for the year 1954, the twenty first
report since Incorporation in 1934,
This period of twenty one-years Is of historical Interest
In the development of the Public Health services In the Borough.
It Includes the early years of adjustment to Increasing
population, the static years of war and the post war years of
resettlement Notable advances in the sanitary, medical and
social services occurred, The efficiency of the basic Public
Health services was secured. Water supply has been safeguarded
by chlorlnatlon Milk supply has been protected by pasteurisation
and designation The services for the disposal of sewage,
surface wate- and refuse have been Improved and modernisedAmenities
have been preserved and enhanced, The medical services
were extended and reorganised, St Heller Hospital was opened.
Well equipped clinics were established Free medical treatment
became available for all. Medical research evolved new methods
for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. New
drugs and antibiotics became available against septic Infections,
Typhoid Fever and Tuberculosis Mass X-Ray was popularised.
Immunisation suppressed Diphtheria. Vaccines against Whooping
Cough and against Tuberculosis were introduced. Greater social
security has been provided. Organised Welfare Services have
been developed and voluntary organisations have given generous
support. Responsibility has been assumed for the care of the
sick the crippled and the aged, These advances are reflected
in the wellbeing of the people.
During 1954 the general health of the community was good,.
No major epidemics occurred. The general incidence of infectious
diseases was low The birth rate rose from 11.8 to 12.1 per
thousand of population The death rate rose from 9.9 to 10.2
per thousand of population, The Infantile mortality rate remained
low. There was no maternal death. There was a further decline
In the death rate from Tuberculosis,
A Mass X-Ray Unit visited the Borough on three occasions
and again assisted in the prevention of disease
The Council's Housing Programme continued to progress.
Daring the year one hundred and seventy six houses were occupied
and ninety five houses were in course of erection, Schemes were
In progress for ninety four houses. At the end of the year six
hundred and eighty four families had been accommodated in new
houses- flats and prefabricated bungalows since the end of the
war.
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