London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hammersmith 1969

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hammersmith Borough]

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a degree that it is becoming extremely difficult to maintain our standard
of medical care, which is of, such importance, particularly in a teaching
hospital.
There is no doubt that a completely new approach will have to be
made by the Department of Health, with a more substantial increase in the
sources diverted to this specialty, as otherwise a serious break-down
may occur. If this happens the rise in the infection rate would, indeed,
becoming alarming and might even rival American figures. I need hardly
stress how disastrous this would be to the public health.
Chiropody Services Annual Report 1969
The Chiropody Service: run by the Council and administered directly
under the Council's Chief Chiropodist includes treatment at foot clinics,
welfare homes, and domiciliary treatments,
The Council's staff consists of a chief chiropodist responsible for
the organisation of the service, seven senior chiropodists, eleven sessional
and two domiciliary contractual chiropodists. It has an establishment
equivalent to fourteen full-time staff.

Statistical Summary 1969

PERSONS TREATED19691968
Aged 60 and over4,1974,462
Expectant Mothers514
Others (Non-Priority)9171,033
5,1195,509
TREATMENTS GIVEN - TOTAL29,05131,047
DOMICILIARY (included in
total)3,7953,067

The Domiciliary Service provided for those aged or physically-handicapped
persons who are unable, by reason of senility, or chronic sickness
to attend the Foot Clinic, has proved more than justified. The service is
expanding rapidly and is inadequate to meet demands.
Council approval was obtained in the latter part of the year for the
conversion of a back room at the Foot Clinic, 706 Fulham Road, into an
Appliance Laboratory for the making of foot appliances and adjustment to
shoes.
Revised charges for treatments were approved by the Council, and are
now two shillings for the elderly, physically-handicapped and expectant
mothers; five shillings for those not receiving a pension and still in
full employment; and eight shillings for the non-priority age groups.
These nominal charges have been well accepted by the patients
The Clinics were diit very severely by the 'flu epidemic, affecting
mostly our elderly patients who were not able to keep appointments.There
was also some staff absenteeism through illness.
Early in the year three senior chiropodists resigned to take up
C. 22