[Report 1971] / Medical Officer of Health, Dorking U.D.C.

  • Dorking (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1971
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1971] / Medical Officer of Health, Dorking U.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    5/54 (page 3)
    The Red House, LEATHERHEAD, Surrey. July 1972. Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Spring of 1971 saw changes in the Medical Officer of Health’s Depart- ment. We were all very sorry to see Dr. Plumley leave us for pastures new in Epsom. I left shortly before to take a new position in Guildford, only to return in July as Acting Medical Officer of Health and finally in my present position in October. I am very happy to be with you again as I feel that Dorking Urban District Council is one of the most progressive small authorities in the County. I am glad to report that infectious diseases have only been sporadic and have not been a problem. Routine smallpox vaccination is not now advised for children in this country. The Department of Health and Social Security has been advised that complications from vaccination are greater than the dangers of the disease. It is still essential for those at risk and for travellers to endemic areas. I, personally, feel that this advice is somewhat premature. Vaccination is still available at parent’s request. German measles vaccination is advised in early teenage girls and it is hoped that this will eliminate the risk of foetal abnormalities in years to come. The birth rate is up on the previous year. This does not reflect the national trend, but is still below the average for England and Wales. The number of illegitimate births is 26, a rise of from 6 to 9 % of the total. This is an unwelcome trend, and raises many questions including publicity for the Family Planning services available jointly by the Family Planning Association and the Surrey County Council. General Practitioner service is also available. The infant death rate is up on 1970 but this was an abnormally low figure. It is similar to 1969. The total number of deaths due to cancer remain fairly static, including lung cancer. Twenty is a high figure, however, for a small urban district. Smoking is largely responsible. It is very worrying when the condition is almost completely preventable. The national figure for lung cancer deaths is 30,000 and is the highest ever. Are we logical in tolerating the situation? If 10% of these deaths occurred in a major disaster there would be national outrage. Deaths due to heart and blood vessel disease are still very high. Medical research shows that the age of onset can be greatly postponed by our eating habits. If one’s weight is kept within normal limits these diseases are much less frequent. May I commend the work of the Old People’s Welfare Committee and all the voluntary helpers. We must always be on the look out for the old and the lonely who need help.