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17. CHIROPODY
Chiropody is provided under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act both
directly by the Council and by using the British Red Cross and the Southall Old
People's Welfare Association as agents. The Council has an establishment of six
chiropodists, which is filled by two full-time officers, the remainder being met by
private chiropodists working part-time for the Council.
It is the Council's ultimate aim to provide a comprehensive chiropody service
based on clinics throughout the borough and staffed by its own chiropodists. However,
the national shortage of state registered chiropodists has meant that it has only been
possible to proceed gradually with this programme.
The following are eligible for the chiropody service:-
(a) Old age pensioners.
(b) Handicapped persons, i.e. registered disabled persons, holders of disablement
pensions, or persons specially recommended by a doctor.
(c) Expectant and nursing mothers. A mother may continue to attend for one
year after the birth of her baby.
The service operates from certain health clinics, community centres, and old
people's homes, details being contained in Table 5. In addition a domiciliary service
is provided.
For old age pensioners attending a Council chiropodist or a Red Cross
chiropodist the maximum charge is 4s. 0d., this being reduced or waived according
to an assessment scale which is used by both organisations. In practice the service
is free in approximately 75% of these cases. For handicapped persons the standard
charge is 8s. 0d., which is also subject to assessment. In this type of case, since
the person is normally working, it is usual for the full charge to be made. The service
is free for expectant and nursing mothers. The Southall Old People's Welfare Association
provide treatment for old age pensioners only and no charges are made.
Treatment is obtained by application to the Health Department or to one of the
voluntary organisations. Subsequent appointments are made at intervals recommended
by the chiropodists, which, in practice, is normally between four and six weeks.
For patients who are house-bound the domiciliary service is provided, and for
those who, although not house-bound, are too incapacitated to attend a clinic session.
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