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CHIROPODY SERVICE
The Chief Chiropodist reports as follows:-
The Chiropody service continues to provide very valuable relief to
a large section of residents in the Borough, and to make a considerable
contribution in keeping many old people mobile.
There does, however, exist a very serious need for more Chiropodists
to cope with the heavy demands made upon this service.
During the past year some staff changes have taken place, including
the retirement of Mr. H. Leavesley, Chief Chiropodist, in April, and the
appointment of Mr. G. E. Fenn as Chief Chiropodist, in August. In October
Mr. P. Samuels was engaged as part-time Chiropodist for domiciliary
visiting.
Clinics:
Treatment is provided for priority patients only, at the following
clinics
Central Clinic,
Thames View Clinic
Greatfields Clinic
Julia Engwell Clinic
Porters Avenue Clinic
Ford Road Clinic
Annie Prendergast Clinic
Oxlow Lane Clinic
Old Peoples' Homes:
Five Old Peoples' Homes are regularly visited by a Chiropodist, each
month, as also is Louise Graham House for mentally handicapped persons.
Hospital Car Service:
This is operated from the Annie Prendergast Clinic, to provide
transport for physically handicapped patients, who, although unable to
reach a clinic in the normal way, are not sufficiently immobile to
require treatment at their own home.
Domiciliary Chiropody Service:
Demand for this service continues to be heavy and is provided for
patients who by reason of infirmity or age are unable to attend a clinic.
Approximately 50 patients per week are treated in their own homes.
General Remarks:
Unfortunately, owing to the need for more Chiropodial Staff, there
is a lack of opportunity to develop the service to its full potential.
At all clinics there is a waiting period of 10-12 weeks between appointments
and between 14-16 weeks for domiciliary treatments. With case loads of
this size any specialised work e.g. foot health education, appliance work
inspection and treatment of school children or intensive care is almost
an impossibility. However, in spite of difficulties some progress can be
reported and a number of patients have benefited considerably from the
making and fitting of permanent appliances for the feet.
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