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116
CONTACT EXAMINATIONS
First examinations of contacts in 1953 were 181 to 117 total
notifications. In 1952 there were 268 to 115 notifications.
POLIOMYELITIS FOLLOW-UP
During the course of their routine duties the Health Visitors
visited all cases of poliomyelitis notified during the year.
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 wholetime
occupational thereapists 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 two Boroughs because of the lack of suitable
applicants.
CONVALESCENCE FOR ADULTS
The total of cases sent away for recuperative convalescence was
78. The length of convalescence was one week in 2 cases, two
weeks in 74 cases, three weeks in 1 case and four weeks in 1 case.
Recovery of cost or part-cost was made.
The demand for recuperative convalescence was naturally high
between April and September. 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 epuipment, 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
Mr. R. J. King, Chief Chiropodist, contributes the following :
"The Chiropody Clinic has continued as in previous years,
with four whole-time chiropodists, and the attendances have
increased by 1,537 over 1952, with a total of 16,947 treatments.