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CHIROPODY SERVICE
Mr. B. Dalton, M.Ch.S., S.R.Ch., M.R.S.H., Chief Chiropodist
Four clinics, three full-time and one part-time are maintained by the Council who
employ one chief, four full-time and sixteen sessional chiropodists. This force serves
the 281,140 inhabitants of Lewisham with an average appointment interval of twelve
weeks.
There were 4,595 (4,517) sessions during the year. Full-time staff carried out
2,397 (2,346) sessions, and part-time staff 2,198 (2,171) sessions. This gives an overall
average of 88 (88) sessions per week throughout the year.
Treatments numbering 1,547 (1,700) were given to 528 (543) elderly, infirm or
handicapped patients transported to the clinics by the Council's vehicles. The average
appointment interval for this service was 16 (15) weeks and 25 (14) visits were made
to housebound persons of under pensionable age.
Satisfactory appliances of a simple nature were made for 282 (35) patients. Some
156 (20) special cases were successfully resolved, these were patients whose conditions
required special treatments, techniques, or drugs which it would not be economic to
have generally available.
NOTE: 1967 figures in brackets.
Under the Council's plan for sponsoring the training of chiropodists, one student
was in training at the end of the year.
Further delay in commencing the clinic at Downham Health Centre was experienced
but it is hoped to make a start in the New Year.
The chiropody session at Lewisham Hospital was developing well.
A report on Lewisham Old People's Welfare chiropody clinics was submitted after
a tour of inspection; liaison was maintained throughout the year with the foot clinics
provided by voluntary agencies at Methodist Mission and the Brook Lane Medical
Mission. The clinic held at Louise House moved into new premises at Kingswear
Health Centre, Dartmouth Road at the beginning of September.
During the year, eight talks were given to various local clubs and schools and two
short articles were written for the Health Bulletin.
In order to contain the annual rate of growth, i.e. to prevent further lengthening
of the appointment interval, at least one full-time senior chiropodist is urgently
required. Slight improvement in the overall picture was dependent on there being
accommodation for twelve full-time chiropodists. From a practical point of view,
this means one chief, four senior and two basic chiropodists, the remainder being
part-time staff. By 1972 the staff should have increased to six senior, three basic and
remainder being part-time. The situation is still critical although one extra session
has been allocated. Three extra sessions would be required to reduce the appointment
interval to a reasonable level. This however would not allow for any future development
which will require a decision regarding chiropody transport in general.
The need for expansion of the chiropody service is manifest and the provision of
suitable premises to allow for the necessary increase in the service is going ahead as
quickly as possible. It is hoped that clinics will be opened at the Lind Health Centre
in Oxestalls Road, Pepys Estate, Deptford, and at Downham Health Centre during
1969. A further clinic is planned for the new Health Centre, Stanstead Road, due to
be completed during 1971 and, in the future development of certain other health
centres, chiropody will be considered as an integral part of the services provided.
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