[Report 1959] / Medical Officer of Health, Bexhill U.D.C. Borough.

  • Bexhill (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1959
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1959] / Medical Officer of Health, Bexhill U.D.C. Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    7/60 (page 5)
    TO THE MAYOR, ALDERMEN AND COUNCILLORS OF THE BOROUGH OF BEXHILL Mr. Mayor, Aldermen and Councillors, I have the honour to submit the Annual Report for the year 1959, which is arranged in accordance with the instructions contained in the Ministry of Health Circular 1/60, dated 9th January, 1960. Staff There were no staff changes during the year, but much extra work devolved on the District Public Health Inspectors during the prolonged absence through ill-health of the Chief Public Health Inspector, for more than half of the year, and my warmest thanks are due to these two Officers for coping so well with the day-to-day problems of Environmental Hygiene, and the added administrative duties. General Standard of Health This was extremely good throughout the year, and there were no major epidemics although the Measles outbreak in the latter part of 1958, continued during the first quarter of 1959, particularly in the Sidley area; the other districts being less affected (see Table 5). Fortunately there were no complications and only one case was admitted to hospital. The Meteorological report of the Borough Meteorologist (Mr. H. J. Sargent), which will be found in Section A, gives full details of a delightfully prolonged summer and autumn, with a maximum of sunshine, a minimum of rainfall, and little or no periods of marked humidity, once more emphasising the great salubrious advantages of this part of Sussex, and Bexhill in particular. Vital Statistics Infantile Mortality Seven infant deaths under the age of 1 year were registered as against three in 1958. The causes are set out in Table 2. It will be noted that 3 died in the first week of birth, 1 aged one month, 1 aged three months, and 2 aged six months, respectively. Two at least were not preventable, and two due to infectious conditions. The Infantile Death Rate per 1,000 live births was 26-4 (England and Wales 22*0). Births The births showed a decrease from 294 to 265, the rate being 9*9 per 1,000 estimated resident population. Adjusted for age and sex distribution of the population, the rate was 11-7 (1958, 14-3). Population There was a slight increase from 26,490 to 26,610, according to the Registrar General’s figures. The Census takes place in 1961 and a truer picture will then be forthcoming. Deaths There were 519 as against 539 in 1958, death rate IM adjusted (England and Wales 11-6). Table 4 gives the deaths by age groups.