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On occasion the statement is made that families are no longer caring for their
aged members as they did in the past. Only too often such a generalisation is made
on meagre evidence. The percentage of persons aged 70 years and over in the
Borough has risen from 3.4 at the 1901 census to 6.2 at the 1951 census. In other
words the number of aged persons has increased considerably and there are now in the
Borough some 6,500 persons aged 70 years and over. It must be obvious to all that
the vast majority of these are caring for themselves or being looked after by
relatives and I can find no evidence that the proportion of aged persons lacking
reasonable care is increasing. As the number of aged persons in the population
grows so must the amount of provision for their care by state, municipal and
voluntary agencies increase. Many official and voluntary bodies are participating
in this work, but there is urgent need for some method of co-ordinating these efforts
so as to secure the best results from the time and money expended.
Since the coming into operation of the National Health Service Act the work of
the Department has been restricted largely to dealing with environmental conditions.
This is the concern of the Sanitary Inspectors whose day-to-day attention to housing,
nuisances, food inspection, food hygiene etc. continued throughout the year. It
should be noted that repairs, improvements and abatement of nuisances are brought
about largely by informal action and that only in few instances has the full force of
the legislation to be brought into operation.
I have had generous co-operation from all other Departments. The loyal and
willing assistance of my staff has lightened my task and I would like to thank the
Council for their encouragement and support.
I remain,
Your obedient servant,
A.ANDERSON.
Medical Officer of Health.
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