View report page

94
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
A joint whole-time appointment with the Leyton Health Area
Sub-Committee was agreed during the year for seven additional
weekly sessions. No appointment had been made at the time of
writing this report.
Mr. R. King, Chief Chiropodist, contributes the following: —
" As in past years the Chiropody Service continued with
four whole-time Chiropodists, with daily services for adults and
one session per week for children. Annual leave and sickness
were again covered by locum tenens chiropodists.
" During the year the Clinic gave 17,432 treatments, an
increase of 485 over 1953. Of 17,432, 15,047 were adults and
2,385 children, made up as follows :—
Women 11,938 ; Men 3,109 ; Children 2,385.
" The number of booked appointments has increased from
2,127 at 31st December, 1953 by 1,532 to 3,659 at 31st December,
1954. Unfortunately the average waiting time for new appointments
and between normal treatments is 12 weeks ; this does not
include children who attend without appointment.
" 2,385 treatments were given at the special clinic for school
children, an increase of 258 over 1953 made up as follows :—
Girls 1,611 ; Boys 774.
" Of the above 24 were girls and 11 boys over 15 years.
" Transport has again been provided for elderly people who
were unable to travel by public conveyance and during the year
182 patients attended by this means.
Women 157 ; Men 25.
" This shows an increase of 41 such treatments over 1953.
" Demand for treatment has increased, not only by the
1,529 new patients, but by the return of old patients, who have
not attended for some years.