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The Worshipful the Mayor, Aldermen and Members of the Council.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present the third and last Annual Report of the Health
and Family Services Department for the year 1970 incorporating the Statutory Report of
the Medical Officer of Health and the Principal School Medical Officer.
As a result of the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970 the Health and
Family Services Department will cease as a combined department early in 1971 being
replaced by separate Health, Social Services and Housing departments.
Vital Statistics
There is no significant difference in the birth rate or death rate compared
with 1969 with the exception of the infant mortality rate which was at the lowest level
recorded in the Borough.
Infectious Disease
The number of infectious diseases shows an increase compared with 1969.
Infectious Hepatitis became notifiable during 1969 and the increase in 1970 is due to the
increased number of notifications by general practitioners of the disease not previously
notifiable.
There is a small increase in the number of notifications of measles. Most if
not all of these cases could have been prevented by vaccination against measles, but in
spite of publicity given both by the Press, at General Practitioners' surgeries and at the
Clinics, many parents have failed to have their children vaccinated. There are a number
of reactions to measles vaccination but it must be emphasized that the complications of
the disease of measles are at least ten times the possible complications from vaccination.
There is a significant increase in the number of cases of whooping cough
mainly due to immunisation against whooping cough being started in the second six
months of life as recommended by the Department of Health and Social Security.
Community Nursing Services
During the year further progress was made on attachment and liaison schemes
of health visitors, heme nurses and midwives to general practitioners, as strongly recommended
by the Department of Health and Social Security.
The building of the Clinical Centre at Cheam Nurses Home was begun during
the year and it is anticipated that during 1971 the Home Nursing and Midwifery Services
will be centralised at Cheam Nursing Home.
There is an increasing demand for Home Nursing Services and as far as possible
arrangements are made for cases to be nursed at home instead of hospital. Most chronically
sick patients prefer to be at home rather than in hospital and on humanitarian grounds the
Local Health Authority must accept the necessity for an adequate Home Nursing staff.
Environmental Health
The Chief Public Health Inspector has reported in detail on the Environmental
Health Section. There has been an increasing volume of work as a result of new legislation
particularly the Housing Act 1969.
The delays in the implementation of the Clean Air Act 1956 are regretted.
Every effort must be made to have all smoke control areas of the London Borough of
Sutton completed by 1975.
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