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CHIROPODY SERVICE
It is with deep regret that I have to report the death of the Chief Chiropodist, Mr.
L. R. Smart, on December 15th.
Mr. Smart was appointed to the staff of the London County Council in April 1961
as a Senior Chiropodist, and served both in division 6 (Deptford, Greenwich and
Woolwich) and in division 7 (Camberwell and Lewisham). Shortly before April 1965
he was appointed as Chief Chiropodist to the new London Borough of Lewisham,
which position he held until his death.
Mr. Smart was held in the highest esteem by his colleagues, both for the high
standards of his professional work and for his ability to form a happy relationship
both with staff and with patients. He will be greatly missed.
The clinical chiropody service is operated from three centres; Louise House,
Sangley Road and Amersham Road. The first two of these clinics, Louise House
and Sangley Road, were opened in 1947, and the other, Amersham Road, a year or
two later.
The staff operating the chiropody service consists of one chief chiropodist and
four senior chiropodists, full-time, supplemented by sixteen sessional chiropodists.
During the year approximately 2,058 sessions were worked by the full-time staff
and approximately 2,915 sessions by the part-time staff.
Since the inauguration of the London Borough of Lewisham there has been an
average of 95 sessions per week worked from the three centres with facilities for
10 chiropodists. During most weeks since the changeover sessions have been quite
well staffed and the allocation of 110 sessions has been very nearly met.
The figures showed a considerable increase over the previous year due, in the main
to the engagement of additional sessional staff, but some improvement in efficiency
at the Sangley Road clinic was due to the appointment of a clinic clerk there in
September, 1965.
Since the changeover the Council has operated quite successfully a transport
system to and from each of the three clinics for patients unable to avail themselves
of public transport because of some physical disability or medical condition, the
transport for this venture being supplied from the Council's vehicles.