London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Croydon 1972

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Croydon]

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31
DEAFNESS
All infants are screened for deafness during the first year of life either
in the Child Health Centres or at home
For detailed figures see Appendix, page 99.
CHIROPODY
The system of using the services of approved chiropodists working in
their own surgeries was continued and attendances rose steadily. Satisfactory
reports on the premises and mode of practice of all chiropodists in the
scheme were received from the Corporation's visiting specialist. Domiciliary
treatment was also included, but the fees came out of the financial allocation
allowed to each practitioner. It was thus left to individual chiropodists
to decide how they allocated services within their global budgets.
The scheme covers elderly persons, expectant mothers and the permanently
handicapped.
It has proved a successful and popular service, and requests for increases
were limited only by financial consideration. For the past five years
in New Addington, the complete absence of any private chiropodist's surgery
within the scheme has necessitated the provision of a Corporation clinic, and
the engagement of a part-time chiropodist for 3 sessions a week. Similar
facilities were provided at the "Waylands" Training Centre where up to 100
physically handicapped persons may attend each day and many need chiropody.
Additional chiropody services were provided at the Sanderstead Clinic
where 653 treatments were provided and a further surgery commenced at the
Bensham Day Centre where 145 treatments were given.
On December 31st 1972, 30 chiropodists were operating this scheme.
During the period January 1st to December 31st 1972 they gave 24,841 treatments
at their surgeries and 9,346 by domiciliary visits. 739 treatments were
given at Parkway Clinic, New Addington and 636 at "Waylands".