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27
Influenza
In past years, vaccination against influenza was made available to staff in the Health
Department. As a preventive measure, it was decided that this facility should be extended to
all staff and residents in establishments maintained by the Department of Social Services. I
am pleased to note that large numbers of staff dealing with children and the elderly, as well
as the residents themselves, made good use of this opportunity to be protected against
influenza before the winter. I feel sure that such precautions will enable particularly persons
in the old people's homes to withstand the severe effects of influenza which can cause
serious complications.
HOME DIALYSIS
During the course of the year arrangements for home dialysis had to be made for
three patients who were being trained at the Home Dialysis Unit, Charing Cross Hospital.
In all three cases the living accommodation in the patients' homes was found to be
either unsuitable or inadequate and applications were made for rehousing these patients in
Council property.
In view of the demand for Council housing no firm guarantees can be given for
priority housing in these cases but the Council have always considered such applications
with sympathy and understanding.
It was a coincidence that a flat, previously adapted for another patient, fell vacant
due to the death of the patient. One of the patients was therefore accommodated in this flat
already adapted for home dialysis, with minimum inconvenience and expense.
CHIROPODY
Clinic Services
There has been a drop in the number of persons attending Council clinics which can
be explained by the extension of the domiciliary service. It is significant, however, that the
number of total attendances has increased appreciably which would suggest that patients are
receiving treatment more frequently. This is indeed a welcome trend and one that should be
encouraged. Unfortunately, like the other boroughs in London, we have to contend with the
acute shortage of trained staff and it is to the credit of our chiropodists that I can present
these figures.
The wide disparity in the treatment afforded to males and females over pensionable
age (a proportion of 1:5) appears to merit comment. I should like to stress, once again, that
there is great need for children and young women to be given timely advice on the care of
the feet and the use of correct footwear.