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PREVENTION OF ILLNESS,
CARE AND AFTER-CARE
Chiropody Service
This remains a popular service and during the year 13,427 attendances were
made. Chiropodists practise at Central, Woodward, Porters Avenue, Greatfields and
Thames View Clinics, and our establishment now includes a Domiciliary Chiropodist
who gave 1,740 treatments at patients' homes and who includes “Mayesbrook” (old
People's home) amongst her domiciliary visiting.
When chiropody treatment of schoolchildren is undertaken (243 treatments during
1962) the opportunity is taken to discuss and advise on footwear, including
stockings. If the child is unaccompanied, an interview with the parent is sought
for a chat about feet and footwear, and a leaflet on foot health is issued.
The response these informal chats is very encouraging, but I regret that
children even as young as ten or eleven influence the decision as to the style of
shoes to be purchased, even against the better judgment of the parents. I only
wish that "fashion” directed a sensible shoe be worn.
Generally, there is a great need for footwear education - not only for children,
but for Parents too, for during junior years the feet can be hopelessly ruined.
It is essential to discuss this with parents for with their understanding, many
real improvements cun be achieved.
Domiciliary Occupational Therapy-Tuberculous Patients
Miss Mercer, our Occupational Therapist does a wonderful job. She is enthualastic
and stimulating, and by her contagious enthusiasm in her approach to the
patients she makes life for them much more worthwhile.
I should like to see the scope of her activities broadened to include other
type of patients.
There were six Patients on the register at the end of the year. 131 Visits were
made to these patients who were taught weaving, basketry, art, embroidery and rug
Two patients who submitted entries for the Dagenham Town Show won prizes
and basketry.
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