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105
CHIROPODY SERVICES
Mr. R. King, Chief Chiropodist, reports the following:—
"The year under review has shown progress, firstly by the
appointment of a part-time chiropodist available for seven sessions
per week distributed between the Town Hall Central Clinic and
Low Hall Lane. These additional sessions were commenced on
June 1st.
"During the early part of the year, the new dressing
cubicles became available and have been much appreciated. The
accommodation in the treatment room is still rather cramped and
full privacy is not available to each patient.
"The total number of treatments given during the year
amounted to 18,617 for 5,677 patients. Of the 18,617 treatments,
12,833 were given to women, 3,304 to men and 2,480 to
children, making an average of 3.7 treatments per patient for
the year. The adult proportion of the 5,677 amounts to 4,981,
representing an average of 3.2 per patient.
"The large preponderance of female patients stresses the
results of the inadequacy or unsuitability of female footwear and
in particular the court and the slipper type of shoes are considered
to have a very bad effect.
"Attendances at the Tuesday morning children's clinic have
increased, the total number of children being 696 with 2,480
treatments, an average of 3.5 treatments per child.
"The number of patients requiring transport increased, but
a medical certificate is always required before the arrangement
of transport. There was a total of 245 such cases, an increase of
53 over 1954 and consisting of 210 women and 35 men.
"The period between appointments averages about thirteen
weeks and the number of booked appointments at the end of the
year was no fewer than 3,979. With the seasonal summer
demand, the interval between treatments increases.
"The number of patients failing to keep their appointments
without notification increased and many patients also arrived late
for their appointments. Although this represented only a small
proportion of the whole, it gave rise to considerable dislocation
which could easily have been avoided by consideration on the
part of the patients concerned."