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13. 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.
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. Od. , 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. Od. , 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, transport by ambulance is arranged.
A doctor's certificate is required for the ambulance service and for the domiciliary service provided
by the Council and the British Red Cross. In the case of patients receiving the Southall Old People's
Welfare Association service no certificate is required.
Details of attendances for the year are shown in the following table:-
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