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7,371 treatments given in Borough Clinics
12,259 patients received treatment in their own home
1,939 treatments were given in the 9 Borough Residential Homes
9,054 treatments were given to Borough patients in private
chiropodists' surgeries
Grand Total 30,623 treatments
If the total number of treatments given during 1972 is compared with the number in
the previous year (31,377) it will be seen that there was a decrease of 2.4 per cent.
In spite of a chronic shortage of chiropodists the full time staff again numbered three,
while 11 sessional and 27 contractual chiropodists were also employed.
A clinic was opened within the Bertha James Day Centre but that at Princes Plain was
temporarily closed.
The Council raised the charge for chiropody treatment from 40p to 50p in 1972 for
those not receiving a supplementary benefit.
NURSING HOMES
1972 1971
Number of Homes registered at year end 12 14
Homes closed during the year 4 1
Homes registered during the year 2
Number of beds provided at year end 315 349
MIDWIFERY
Miss M.C. Martin, S.R.N. S.C.M.
Non-Medical Supervisor of Midwives
The scheme for domiciliary Midwives to deliver selected patients in hospital and then
to complete the post-natal care in the mother's home has extended to the Orpington and
Farnborough areas. The 'Domino' Scheme, as it is known, is working well and not only ensures
the continuity of Midwifery care for the mother before, during and after her confinement but is
also felt to be an important step towards the integration of the hospitals and Local Authority
Maternity Services under the National Health Service re-organisation.
Regular meetings between Senior Nursing Officers from the hospital and Local
Authority Nursing and Health Visiting Services are taking place also with integration in mind.
The new single period (one year) Midwifery training commenced in the Bromley Group
of Hospitals in July 1972, and the first pupils were seconded for community experience with
the domiciliary teaching midwives in November, 1972. The number of teaching midwives in the
Local Authority service has been increased to accomodate extra pupils. Besides giving three
months domiciliary experience to 38 pupil midwives, arrangements have been made for 59
other students to gain knowledge of this aspect of the community nursing service.
Maternity Sisters in hospital who feel they would like community experience are being
welcomed by the domiciliary midwives to spend a day with them. This experience is followed
up by an insight into the administration of the service at Sherman House.
Four midwives went to statutory refresher courses this year and another four attended
a family planning conference.
The need for more emphasis on Health Education and Parentcraft is recognised and two
midwives attended National Childbirth seminars on Preparation for Childbirth and another
midwife participated in a series of classes on parentcraft at the Royal College of Midwives.
Four more attended a clinical teaching course run by Bromley Group of Hospitals for
trained staff and another midwife has been seconded to attend a clinical teaching course at
the Royal College of Midwives.