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Blind and Partially Sighted
During the year the Council's consultant ophthalmologist carried out examinations
of blind and partially sighted persons under the provisions of Section 29 of the
National Assistance Act, 1948. In addition B.D.8 certificates were received from hospitals
and other local authorities.
Number of examinations arranged 204
Initial examinations 61
Re-examinations 143
Number certified as blind 45
Number certified as partially sighted 157
Number found to be neither blind nor partially sighted 2
Blind certificates accepted from hospitals 34
Partially sighted certificates accepted from hospitals 10
Blind certificates accepted from other local authorities 1
Partially sighted certificates accepted from other local
authorities —
Chiropody
In April 1971 under the Local Authority Social Services Act 1970, which directed
that all chiropody services operated by the Council should become the responsibility
of the Health Department, chiropody services to the extent of 9 sessions per week
previously operated by the ex Welfare Department were transferred to the Health
Department. The establishment was increased to 1 chief chiropodist, 9 senior chiropodists
and part time chiropodists equivalent to 6 sessions. As at 31 December 1971 the
number of chiropodists employed was 1 chief chiropodist, 6 senior chiropodists full
time and 8 sessional chiropodists (3.2 full time equivalent). In addition 3 trainee chiropodists
were being sponsored by the Council. The number of sessions held during the
year was 4,194 and the number of attendances was 29,835.
Home Dialysis
Three patients were provided with home dialysis facilities in Southwark during
1971. Two of these patients had their existing homes adapted and the other was rehoused
in a vacant, previously adapted property.
New applications for home dialysis facilities were received during 1971 in respect
of three patients. At that time, a vacant, adapted flat was available in the northern area
of the Borough but all three patients refused to accept the flat for rehousing purposes.
At the end of 1971 the adaptation of one existing home was being carried out while the
other two patients were still waiting for accommodation suitable for rehousing and
adaptation to become available.
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