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PREVENTION OF ILLNESS: CARE AND AFTER-CARE
Foot clinics
Following the receipt of Ministry of Health Circular 11/59, when the existing services in
the county were reviewed, it was ascertained that in addition to the services provided by the
Council, more than 19,000 treatments a year were provided by voluntary organisations for
the welfare of old people.
Precise information as to the extent of the unsatisfied needs of the priority classes (the
elderly, the physically handicapped and expectant mothers) referred to in the Ministry's
circular was difficult to obtain. It was, however, estimated that some 350 additional sessions
might be required and the Council decided, subject to the Minister approving an amendment
of its proposals under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act, 1946, to increase
the service by 100 sessions a week as soon as practicable and by a further 100 in April, 1960
and to subsidise the voluntary organisations as necessary to enable them to maintain their
existing services.
The amendment to the Council's proposals (which was approved by the Minister) was
as follows:
The Council proposes to extend its chiropody service as may be necessary, priority
being given to the needs of old people, of the physically handicapped and of expectant
mothers. The service will be provided at foot clinics established by the Council and/or at
surgeries of private chiropodists, by means of a domiciliary service and/or by utilising
on a grant-aided basis the services of approved voluntary organisations.
It is not proposed at present to exercise the power to provide a domiciliary service or to
use the surgeries of private chiropodists.

The majority of treatments provided at the clinics were for superficial excrescences
(corns, callosities, etc.), and malformed nails. Advice was given on shoe fitting, foot
hygiene and exercises.