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To the Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors of the
London Borough of Merton.
Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I have the honour to present the Annual Report on the Health
of Merton for the year 1969.
The Registrar-General's estimate of population showed a fall
from 184,220 in 1968 to 183,570—a reversion to the steady yearly
decline in population of the area since 1951.
Live births totalled 2,437, being 173 less than in 1968, and the
live-birth rate thus showed a marked fall from 14.17 in 1968 to 13.27.
Of the 2,437 live births 90.1% were born in hospital. The falling
number of domiciliary births was, however, accompanied by a corresponding
increase in early discharges (within 48 hours after birth)
from hospital.
The number of deaths of infants under one year continued to
decline, from 38 in 1968 to 35 and the resulting infant mortality rate
of 13.90 per thousand live births, compared with a rate of 18.0 for
England and Wales, was most pleasing.
Stillbirths showed an increase from 25 in 1968 to 31 and the
stillbirth rate per thousand live and stillbirths rose from 9.49 in 1968
to 12.56. The rate of 12.56 was still lower than the rate for England
and Wales (13.0).
The number of neo-natal deaths also showed a continued decline,
from 29 in 1968 to 27 and the neo-natal rate was 10.26 compared
with 12.0 for England and Wales. The perinatal mortality rate fell
from 23.90 in 1968 to 20.67 which compared favourably with the
rate of 23.0 for England and Wales.
The death rate per thousand of the population rose from 11.06 in
1968 to 11.46 but this is no greater variation than has occurred on
several occasions during the last 15 years. Due to the influenza outbreak
which occurred in the latter part of the year, there were 24
deaths from influenza, 18 more than in 1968.
There were no maternal deaths during the year.
One thousand two hundred and seventy-four notifications of
infectious disease were received during the year, compared with 494
in 1968. The increase was principally due to the incidence of measles
and dysentery. There were a number of outbreaks during the year
and though none could be regarded as really serious, the investigations
that had to be carried out were very time-consuming.
On the whole, 1969 was a year of steady progress in most fields
of activity. The amendment of the Nurseries and Child Minders
Regulation Act, 1948, by Section 60 of the Health Services and Public
Health Act, 1968, greatly increased the work of inspection, registration
and supervision of private day nurseries and child minders, child
minders being particularly affected.
Difficulty was again experienced in the recruitment of qualified
Social Workers both in the field of mental health and the general field
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