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The chiropodists directly employed by the Council, of which there were, at the
end of the year, six 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, 1,937
patients made 7,755 attendances for treatment at 1,554 clinic sessions, whilst a further
755 patients received 2,703 domiciliary visits for treatment.
In addition 1,102 patients received 6,668 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.
The Council agreed to an extension of the service provided by the Southgate
Old People's Welfare Committee who increased their clinic sessions from three to
four per week and their domiciliary sessions from one to one-and-a-half per week.
Unfortunately, it has not proved possible to recruit sufficient chiropodists to
meet the increasing demand. The approved staff establishment for the Council's
service was increased from six-and-a-half to seven equivalent whole-time chiropodists
but for the greater part of the year the department was under strength by the
equivalent of two chiropodists. It would appear that the staff shortage is but a
reflection of a national problem; demand for chiropody privately and through
municipal services has outstripped the supply of trained chiropodists. Treatment at
one clinic was suspended for six months during the year and there was continuing
concern 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 biggest change in chiropody in recent years has been the
emphasis on appliance work. A correctly made appliance not only improves
the foot condition but helps to keep the patient comfortable over a longer
period, thereby reducing the number of treatments required. Our staff carry
out this work whenever time is available.
"During the year I attended an appliance course at the London Foot
Hospital. I also attended a Chief Chiropody Officers' Conference held in
Exeter where the theme was mainly on appliance work."
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