[Report 1920] / Medical Officer of Health, Blackpool County Borough.

  • Blackpool (England). County Borough Council.
Date:
1920
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1920] / Medical Officer of Health, Blackpool County Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/74 (page 3)
    Public Health Office, Blackpool. To the Chairman and Members of the Health Committee. Gentlemen, I beg to submit to you my Annual Report for the year 1920. With regard to the Vital Statistics, the various rates are based upon a population of 70,545, as estimated by the Registrar General. The Birth Rate of Blackpool has always been low, but it is shewing an upward tendency, and for the year under review it was 16.71 per 1,000, which is the highest since the year 1910. The death Rate was 13.6 per 1,000, which was the lowest since 1912. The Infant Mortality was at the rate of 70 per 1,000 births, which is the lowest we have ever yet reached. I hope that the measures taken to preserve infant life will have a still greater influence upon this rate and that in a few years I shall be able to report to you a figure of 50. With regard to Infectious Diseases, it will be noted that the incidence of Enteric Fever, viz., one case, was the lowest ever recorded in the town. Dr. Bartlett has prepared a short report upon the subject of Venereal Diseases and it will be noted that the clinic is increasing and that our accommodation is insufficient. Our proposals for increased accommo- dation are now before the Ministry of Health. The Maternity Home in Whitegate Drive was opened in February, 1920, and has proved successful and acceptable. Increased accommo- dation is necessary and I trust you will soon see your way to provide room for more patinets. A vast amount of general sanitary work has been done in the depart- ment, especially in regard to housing conditions, and Inspector Sanderson gives a tabulated list of visits, etc., paid by him and the District Inspectors. In dealing with the various aspects of Public Health administration I have received efficient and loyal co-operation from the matron and nurses at the Sanatorium and Maternity Home, the out-door nursing staff, and the inspectorial and clerical staffs. Inspector Newby has rendered great assistance in the Bacteriological Department in addition to carrying out his own work, and Mr. Smith, the chief clerk, has also assisted me greatly in the preparation of this Report. I beg to remain, Gentlemen, Your obedient servant, F. W. REES JONES. May, 1921.