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CHIROPODY SERVICE
Mr. B. Dalton, M.Ch.S., S.R.Ch., M.R.S.H., Chief Chiropodist
At the six chiropody clinics maintained by the Council well over 6,000 persons
regularly attend, on an average, four times a year each. The proportion of adult
males to females being 1 : 4.
There has been a small increase in the number of sessions worked as a result of
a slight easing of the recruitment situation. There has been consequently a slight
reduction in the interval between treatments. Even so the gap between treatments
is still too long. It occasionally happens that patients have the need of an appliance
and, by the end of December, 251 appliances had been made. Others require, as
did 240 patients, treatment involving special techniques and equipment. There was
an increase of 50% in the number of treatments given to the elderly, infirm and
handicapped persons transported to various surgeries. The average appointment
interval for this service was twenty weeks. Over 700 visits were made to elderly
housebound persons in the postal district of S.E.4, and nearly 200 visits to those
housebound but under pensionable age.
The part-time clinic held at the Bathing Centre, Speedwell Street, has closed and
the patients transferred to Amersham Road. Sangley Road clinic has been completely
reorganised and extended to incorporate an additional appliance service
which commenced towards the end of the year. During November a chiropody
clinic commenced at the newly opened Jenner Health Centre in Stanstead Road.
It is interesting to note that some 50% of those attending the Jenner Health Centre
had not previously been receiving treatment and of that 50% about 80% were
elderly. It was to this health centre that patients were transferred following the
discontinuance of clinics previously organised by Lewisham Old People's Welfare
Association at St. Saviour's and Stanstead Lodge. The session at Lewisham Hospital
is now overbooked and owing to accommodation difficulties, the allocation of an
additional session cannot be made. One of the Council's full-time chiropodists has
been seconded to Deptford Central Methodist Mission pending the appointment, by
the mission, of a replacement. Contact has also been maintained with Brook Lane
Medical Mission.
Under the Council's plan for sponsored chiropody training, one student, having
Qualified, has taken up a post and another is at college.