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"During the year 1971, 456 treatments were given to patients at Gravel Lane Clinic. This,
in spite of local building problems and some of the patients moving to other estates, showed an
increase of 31 treatments to the previous year.
Each patient had a regular monthly appointment and this was deeply appreciated.
No new Diabetic patients were seen, and all the patients were elderly, and treatment has
therefore necessarily been mainly palliative in nature with the object of keeping these old people
mobile.
In the near future it is to be hoped that with a new building in view for use as a Clinic an
even better service will be made possible and with the advent of the new flats more people in the
older age groups could be given treatment."
"There are four sections to the chiropody service arranged by the health department catering
for the elderly, physically handicapped and children. The four sections are as follows:-
Milton Court
There were 94 treatments given during the year. Sessions here are run about twice a month.
At the end of the year the number of patients was 10 of whom 7 were women, the average age of
patients was 67.
Salvation Army
During the year 31 treatments were given, a chiropody session being given about once every
six weeks. The actual number of treatments is poor compared with the number of people booked
in to be treated. In one session for example 5 patients were booked and only 1 attended. The
condition of feet here was extremely bad and it is likely that other people here needing the
treatment do not make use of the service.
Domiciliary Visits
This service is for people who cannot get to the clinic.
During the year just over 200 treatments were given. About 1 appointment in 8 was cancelled.
Of the remaining appointments about 1 patient in 8 was not at home when a visit was made. At the
end of the year there were 33 people on the domiciliary list, 27 of whom were women.
Sir John Cass's Foundation
There were 16 visits made during the year and about 150 children were inspected. 113
treatments were given to 39 children. Verrucae gave rise to 66 treatments, corns to 26 and nail
conditions to 15. The other 6 treatments were miscellaneous complaints.
More than half the children were wearing shoes that were too small for them,some 2 sizes.
The children were advised to have their feet measured when next buying shoes, but it is doubtful
whether this has much effect. Girls of 10 and 11 were already tending to fashion before common
sense in their choice of shoes. It is not difficult to understand the high proportion of women, for
example, on the domiciliary list.
I would like to thank the staff of the Medical Officer of Health, the Brigadier and his staff at
the Salvation Army Hostel and Mr. Jarvis and his Secretary at the school for their help and cooperation
throughout the year."
Services for Incontinent Persons
1970 1971
Persons receiving service at end of year 15 10
Items washed 3745 3370
Under Section 13 of the Health Services and Public Health Act 1968 arrangements have been
made for the linen of incontinent persons to be laundered free of charge. A twice weekly collection
and delivery service is operated by Corporation transport and payment is made to the London
Borough of Tower Hamlets for carrying out the laundering on behalf of the Corporation.
The service is of great value not only to the incontinent patient, but also to the caring
members of the family.
Yellow Fever Vaccination
The Corporation continued to supply yellow fever vaccine to the designated centre at Unilever
House. As the Corporation is also the Port Health Authority for the Port of London arrangements
have also been made for distribution to the Shipping Federation Medical Centre at King George V
Dock and at Tilbury Dock. During the year 3255 (3098) doses of vaccine were distributed.
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