[Report 1953] / Medical Officer of Health, Wallasey Local Board / U.D.C. / County Borough.

  • Wallasey (England). Local Board.
Date:
1953
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1953] / Medical Officer of Health, Wallasey Local Board / U.D.C. / County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/130 (page 3)
    Public Health Department, October y 1954. The Mayory Alderman and Councillors of the County Borough of Wallasey. Mr. Mayory Ladies and Gentlemeny I have pleasure in submitting my Report on the Healthy Welfare and School Health Services for the year 1953. It is satisfactory to be able to report a new “/ow” record for Infantile Mortality—a rate of 2^.16 per 1,000 births compared with 33.37 for 1952. The neo natal rate was 17.51 compared with 25.63 for 1952—a great improvement. An Analysis of the infantile deaths shows that of the total of 41—29 occurred by the 2Sth day—16 being due to premature birth and 11 to congenital tnalformations. Only 12 deaths occurred between one month and one year, and there had been a steady fall since 1947 when the corresponding figure was 54. There were 3 maternal deaths—a high figure for Wallasey. One took place at Highfield and all possible services were available. Another case died at St. Catherine's Hospital after manual removal of placenta under anaesthesia—this woman was confined at homey neither doctor nor midwife being in attendance. The third case was admitted to St. Catherine's in an unconscious state—pregnancy had not been disclosed and was only diag¬ nosed post mortem. There was a fall in the notifications of tuberculosis from 121 to 104, and in deaths due to pulmonary tuberculosis from 18 ro 11—though the number of cases on the register increased from 767 to 799. These figures indicate that the newer methods of treatment are prolonging the lives of patients and bringing about a greater number of ''cures in time, but for the time being they also mean that there are a greater number of cases of tuberculosis in the community and, therefore, a greater need for a,ll preven¬ tive measures—included amongst which is the greater use of B.C.G. inoadation. There was one death from diphtheria—a non-immunised adult; Sime there has been only one death (1953) since 1948—there were 25 in the year 1934. The Ambulance Service shows increases both in the number of patients carried and mileage travelled. I should like to take this opportunity of expressing my appreciation of the work done by the staff of my Department and to thank the Chairman and members of the Health, General Health and Welfare Committees for the manner in which they have received the recommendations which I have submitted to them. I am, Mr. Mayor, Ladies and Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, RONALD B. BERRY, Medical Officer of Health.