View report page

Home Helps.—This is a very essential service to the community,
especially to the chronic sick and the aged, and on
December 31st, 1956, seven whole-time and 119 part-time women
were employed in Edmonton and Enfield.
Foot Clinics.—It is interesting to note that the pioneer work
of the Edmonton Borough Council in establishing a Foot Clinic
in Edmonton in 1946 has been well justified and whereas before
the appointed day for the National Health Service Act (5th July,
1948) eight weekly sessions were held in one clinic, there are now
fourteen sessions spread over three establishments, serving sections
of the district, and one special session held weekly for school
children and expectant and nursing mothers. These clinics are
always well patronised and are of great value to the residents,
especially the old folk who receive treatment at very reduced fees
on the production of their pension books.
Convalescence.—A scheme is in operation whereby patients
recovering from illness and needing recuperative care can be sent
away, and many Edmonton residents have been able to benefit
from this arrangement.
Day Nurseries.—This is one sad note in an otherwise happy
picture of progress. There are now only two nurseries in the area,
one being at Fore Street, Edmonton — this establishment is still
being well patronised by the priority type of case eligible for
admission.
Welfare Foods.—In 1954 the County accepted responsibility
for the distribution of welfare foods, formerly undertaken by the
Ministry of Food, an advantage to the mothers who can now
obtain these commodities in all the infant welfare clinics.
Vaccination and Immunisation.—Very rapid advance has
been made from the early days when only immunisation against
diphtheria was offered, and it is now possible for children to have
diphtheria and whooping cough injections as well as vaccination
against smallpox. Poliomyelitis injections have only just commenced
and, wisely, every precaution is being taken, but we shall
very soon be able to offer it to parents for certain classes of children
on a wide scale with general practitioners participating in the
scheme. B.C.G. vaccination against tuberculosis of the school
8