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Ambulance Facilities.—The ambulance sorvicos have been
described in recent Reports and continue to bo in force. The
arrangement made for ambulances to be available for patients
entering maternity hospitals has proved in every way satisfactory
and is without doubt a groat boon to patients seeking admission
to our own Maternity Home.
Diabetes—Insulin Treatment.—In accordance with Section
227, Public Health (London) Act, 1936, arrangements are in
existence whereby necessitous patients suffering from this disease
can obtain a supply of insulin upon application by the local doctor
to the Public Health Department. A quarterly report must be
furnished to the Ministry of Health on patients who receive this
service. During the year, 2 patients have received such assistance.
Treatment Centres and Clinics.—There was no alteration
during the year with regard to the treatment centres and clinics
controlled by the Council. Fuller particulars will bo found in the
Section devoted to Maternity and Child Welfare.
Home Helps.—There is one ancillary service to the Maternity
and Child Welfare Scheme which is regarded as very helpful in
some districts, but which does not exist in this Borough at the
moment. This service is that under the heading of "Home Helps."
It has been noted that patients often elect to have their confinement
at home in less suitable surroundings than an institution, by reason
of the fact that they are unable to obtain the help of relatives or
friends who could care for the toddlers.
Toddlers' Clinics.—Toddlers' Clinics have been in existence
during the year at Shooter's Hill Road, Creek Road and the Borough
Hall. In the other districts, the toddlers attend the ordinary
Welfare Centres.
Foot Clinic.—During the year 3,557 attendances were recorded, representing an income of £177 17s. 0d.
Ten sessions are held per week, half of these being evening
sessions. The Clinics are open to men, women and children at a
charge of 1/- per attendance. That this service is proving a boon
to the poorer population of the Borough is undoubted, and the
Council are to be congratulated on their progressivoness in establishing the scheme.
It was found necessary during the year to appoint an assistant
chiropodist, who does 4 sessions per week, in order to cope with
the steady increase in the applications for treatment.