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94
CHIROPODY
In 1972 under the guidance of the newly appointed Chief Chiropodist, the
Chiropodist service was reshaped and expanded.
The chief chiropodist inspected each foot clinic and old people's home
condemning some of the clinics and advocating alterations where needed to others.
Modern equipment has been installed in most of the clinics to ensure the
best conditions to work under for both chiropodist and patient. The borough
recruited 10 full-time chiropodist - there was one in 1971 - and coupled with the
help of 13 part-time chiropodists the service was able to expand rapidly.
Five new clinics were opened and three new old people's homes were
given the service of a chiropodist, the result being 46,250 treatments given this
year compared with 42,000 last year.
The domiciliary service was also revised so that, for administrative purposes,
the borough was divided into postal areas and enough chiropodist were employed
in each area to cover the service. Each new patient was visited, treated and then
either sent to a nearby foot clinic or if the patient was housebound the treatment
would subsequently be carried on by one of the chiropodists which were allocated
to that area. This resulted in the Chief Chiropodist treating 1,173 new patients
during the year, of which 157 were recommended to clinics and the rest were put
onto the domiciliary service.
Each of the twelve homes in Lambeth are supplied with chiropody, and
steps have been taken to improve the equipment.
To educate the public in foot health the Chief Chiropodist has instructed
all District Nurses on foot care which was then passed on to many of the old
people.
During the year the service was made completely free to old age pensioners,
mentally and physically handicapped and expectant mothers. In 1973 it is hoped
to finish re-equiping the clinics and start an appliance centre, so that a complete
service can be given.
D.A.D. Sydenham
Chief Chiropodist