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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.