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94
POLIOMYELITIS FOLLOW-UP
During the course of their routine duties the Health Visitors
visited all cases of poliomyelitis notified during the year.
The result of the follow-up is shown on page 51.
REHABILITATION OF TUBERCULOSIS PATIENTS
During the year the Area Sub-Committee accepted financial
responsibility for two patients undergoing rehabilitation at Papworth
Village Settlement. No charge is made to patients.
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
The County Health Committee decided to employ three wholelime
Occupational Therapists for domiciliary occupational therapy
in the six extra Metropolitan Boroughs, and Leyton and Walthamstow
are to share one. Up to the present, no appointment has
been made in these Boroughs, and experience is being awaited
of the appointment made elsewhere. In addition, there has been
some difficulty in finding sufficient cases in Walthamstow to employ
a Therapist on a half-time basis.
CONVALESCENCE FOR ADULTS
The total of cases sent away for recuperative convalescence
was 73. The length of convalescence was one week in 2 cases,
two weeks in 69 cases and three weeks in 2 cases. Recovery of
cost or part-cost was made.
The demand for recuperative convalescence was naturally
high between April and October. A tendency was noted on the
part of some patients to try and abuse the scheme as a means of
obtaining an annual holiday.
SICK-ROOM EQUIPMENT
There are two main depots for sick-room equipment, one at
the District Nurses' Home in Carisbrooke Road and the other at
the British Red Cross Society Headquarters in Forest Road.
During the year routine issues were made of items of equipment
such as bed-pans, thermometers and feeding cups, etc. Special
items of equipment are provided when necessary.
CHIROPODY SERVICES
The Foot Clinic, originally established by the Borough
Council, continued as in previous years with four whole-time
Chiropodists.
Daily morning sessions were held, with afternoon sessions on
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and evening sessions on
Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Treatment was by appointment
and unfortunately, there has always been a long waiting list.
Total attendances in 1952 were 15,410, including 1,743 new
patients.