Rushden Research Group: Health & Sanitary Reports

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 16th September 1955, transcribed by Gill Hollis

Health Reports & Sanitary Reports

Death rate at Rushden shows an increase

A drop from 187 cases of measles in 1953 to two in 1954 is among the facts and figures given at the annual report for 1954 of Dr. P. X. Bermingham, Medical Officer of Health for Rushden Urban District.

Dysentery also fell – from 15 to one – and for the successive year there were no cases of poliomyelitis, but scarlet fever cases increased from 13 to 16, whooping cough from one to 33, and tuberculosis from 12 to 18.

The Medical Officer reports that the vaccination figures, which showed a drop in primary vaccination, were disappointing and says that every effort should be made to encourage parents to have their children vaccinated.

Births and Deaths

The vital statistics for the year were not as satisfactory as in recent years, although the birth rate 13.84, was similar to that of 1953, 13.92. The number of births was exactly the same but the variation in the rate was caused by an increase in population.

The death rate 11.30, showed an increase over 1953, when it was 9.51 per 1,000 of the population. One death was recorded under the heading of maternal mortality – the first in the district for six years.

The infant mortality rate rose to 30.56 per 1,000 live births, the highest figure since 1950, when it was 44.05. In 1953 it was 8.73. The number of stillbirths showed a considerable fall compared with the previous year, and the majority of infant deaths occurred within a very short time of birth.

Sanitation Need

Satisfaction is expressed in the report at the proposals for enlarging the sewage disposal works, and at the start of the scheme for dealing with the sewage from the Court Estate, but the existence of houses within the district served by bucket latrines, septic tanks and cess pools is described as “unsatisfactory” and it is urged that wherever possible all houses should be connected to the main drainage.

Fifty more council houses and 18 more private houses were constructed in 1954 than in 1953, and the 311 applicants on the list at the end of the year were166 less than at the end of the previous year. A start was made on the work of slum clearance, expected to occupy much of the council’s attention during the next five years.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 11th November 1955

Bad Sanitation in Primary Schools – M.O.H. reports to council

When an adverse report on primary school sanitation came before Rushden Urban Council on Wednesday, Mr. R. R. Griffiths declared that if parents could strike over a bus they would strike if they saw the conditions at Alfred Street.

The report came from the medical officer, Dr. P. X. Bermingham, who said he sincerely hoped that in the interests of the children some improvements could be made.

He spoke chiefly of Alfred Street but mentioned that he and Dr. C. M. Smith, the County M.O.H., had also inspected Newton Road and South End Schools.

He complained also of a “mistaken” nation-wide policy by which the needs of primary schools were forgotten.

Mr. Griffiths claimed that the school managers, who were “not allowed any Press publicity,” deserved credit for trying to improve conditions.

Mr. E. A. Sugars, chairman of the managers, declared: “I have not been satisfied with the support we get from a certain quarter in the county.”

The Surveyor, Mr. Alex Millar, replied to criticisms of road work, especially in Spencer Road, by saying: “I would like a million pounds, and then I could show you what could be done.” He said that without tar spraying – which Mr. Griffiths had criticised – the roads might disintegrate.

On behalf of the Health Committee, Mr. A. H. Bailey apologised for inconvenience caused to householders by trenching in Portland Road, where, he said, the ground structure was not as had been expected.

Re-lighting of the A6 route has now been approved by the Ministry of Transport and the council has also agreed to re-light Irchester Road. It was stated that the county council is to begin the improvement at the foot of Church Street within a few weeks.

Following a petition by the residents, a scheme is to be prepared for the making-up of Harvey Road.

Sites are to be sought for garages to serve the Higham Road housing estate.

A suggestion from the Town C.C. that the council should bear part of the cost of an access road to the cricket ground was not accepted by the Housing Committee.

Measles

A measles outbreak (82 cases) was reported by the Medical Officer.

The Finance Committee reported that in their opinion the proposed extension of the Birch Bus service to Corby might operate to the disadvantage of Rushden people. They could not recommend the council to support the application for a licence.

Branches of the trees round Spencer Park are to be thinned following complaints from residents of adjacent houses.

A children’s playground near Highfield Road is to be included in the development plan for the area.

An application from Rushden Co-operative Society to have the rent of their Upper Queen Street shop reduced in view of changed conditions regarding the range of goods to be sold was refused.

Health & Sanitary Reports