View report page

52
CHIROPODY SERVICES
Chiropody treatment is made available under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act 1946 for
the elderly, handicapped, expectant mothers and children, at various centres in Westminster. These include
maternal and child health clinics, the City of Westminster Old People's Welfare Association centres and the
Centre for the Handicapped, 10 Warwick Row, S.W.1. This last, run by the Social Services Department, is
particularly suitable as many handicapped persons already attend the Centre to participate in other
activities. Chiropodists also visit residential homes for the elderly some of which are situated in the City
Council's area and others as far afield as Pinner, Ealing and Virginia Water. Arrangements continue whereby
patients are referred to two private chiropodists for treatment in their own surgeries on a fee per treatment
basis. A domiciliary service is provided for housebound patients both by the full-time and the sessional
chiropodists.
The City Council is fortunate in having the Chelsea School of Chiropody situated in the St. Marylebone
area. A close liaison exists between the Council's Chief Chiropodist and the Principal; the Medical Officer
of Health would once again wish to express his thanks for the assistance given by the School in providing
treatment to some 25 — 30 Westminster patients a week.
Two minibuses are operated by the Health Department, and amongst other duties, are used to transport
suitable semi-ambulant patients between their homes and the various centres for chiropody treatment. This
is very popular with this type of patient since it gives them the chance to leave their homes for a short
while and to meet other residents. This aspect of the service is being expanded wherever possible.
Consideration was given to the provision of a workshop for the making of foot appliances. However, in
view of the impending reorganisation of the National Health Service it was decided to continue the present
adequate and satisfactory arrangement with the London Borough of Camden who make any required
appliances to the City Council chiropodists' specifications.
The Chief Chiropodist supervises the re-equipping of clinics with modern equipment within the budget
provided and has the working of the service under continuous review. The demand for chiropody continues
to increase and the City Council's revenue budget forecast for 1973/74 includes an additional 3 positions
of senior chiropodist.
At the end of the year a total of 64 sessions per week were being worked at centres, approximately 30
treatments were provided in chiropodists' own surgeries each week, and approximately 195 treatments were
provided in the homes of patients each week. (Table 39, page 81).
CERVICAL CYTOLOGY
Cervical cytology clinics continued at four of the Council's centres and attendances remained fairly
steady.
In all 1,659 patients were examined of which 969 were paying their first visit and 690 repeat visits.
During 1972 the normal five year follow-up examinations of those women first attending in 1967 began.
Positive smears were found in four women aged between 31 and 61 years. In addition 346 women
attending for the first time were suffering from various gynaecological conditions detected at clinical
examination and were referred to their own general practitioners for treatment and/or further investigation.
The service is available to all women living or working within the City of Westminster and publicity
material is constantly displayed in various centres and public places.
Our thanks are once again due to the staff of the Samaritan Hospital undertaking the laboratory
examinations. Dr. Bate retired at the latter part of the year and his successor. Dr. Coleman, continues to
give valuable assistance in providing this service.