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The chiropodists directly employed by the Council, of which there were, at
the end of the year, 5.1 whole-time equivalent including a chief Chiropodist, provide
the service in ten council clinics as well as providing a domiciliary service for those
patients unable through age or ill-health to attend the clinics. During the year,
2,128 patients made 8,699 attendances for treatment at 1,663 clinic sessions, whilst
a further 781 patients received 3,219 domiciliary visits for treatment.
In addition, 1,024 patients received 6,511 treatments at centres, chiropodists'
surgeries, or in their own homes, through the service provided by the voluntary
organisations.
The voluntary organisations involved are the two local divisions of the British
Red Cross Society who provide the service at centres and in the patients' homes;
the Southgate Social Service Council who provide the service in chiropodists'
surgeries; and the Southgate Old People's Welfare Committee who provide the
service at a centre and in the patients' homes.
Because this is an expanding service, as evidenced by the increased work done
again this year by both the voluntary and the department's services, the Council
agreed to an extension of the services provided by two of the voluntary organisations.
The Southgate Old People's Welfare Committee increased their clinic sessions from
two to three per week and the Southgate Division of the British Red Cross Society
undertook a monthly session additional to the three clinic sessions held each week.
Unfortunately, it has not proved possible to recruit sufficient chiropodists to meet
the demand for the service. Indeed, this staff shortage is but a reflection of a
national problem. Treatment at one clinic was suspended for two months during
the year and there was concern generally over the waiting periods for new patients
and between treatments.
The service provided for school children under the Education Act, 1944, is
described elsewhere.
The following is an extract from the report of the Chief Chiropodist:
"The demand on the chiropody service continues to increase but due to the
dearth of chiropodists, some of the clinic sessions have had to be curtailed.
This also applies to domiciliary treatments.
"The introduction of appliance work in selected cases has had a very beneficial
effect.
"I carried out a survey of 'Nail conditions in the elderly' and it was revealed
that of 100 patients, 84 had some kind of nail abnormality requiring treatment
in addition to other chirropodial conditions.
" During the year I spoke to two elderly people's clubs on the care of feet.
Both were very well attended and the talks much appreciated ".
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