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49
guided by myself and his wife. He was seen by doctor and told he
could walk a short way to the dining room for meals. The only thing
he could not do was hold a razor firmly enough to shave himself. I
approached a neighbour who did this for him.
Summary:
(a) Rehabilitation should begin as soon as possible
(b) A set programme of exercises should be given.
(c) The importance of these should be explained
to all the family.
Section 26 VACCINATION AND IMMUNISATION
The arrangements for protection of children against Diphtheria,
Whooping Cough and Tetanus continued on the lines referred to in my
Annual Report for 1962.
So too, did the scheme for Vaccination against Poliomyelitis but
the Ministry of Health recommended during the year that all young
children previously immunised should be offered a reinforcing dose
of vaccine on joining school.
Reinforcing doses were also recommended for persons at special
risk of contracting poliomyelitis such as general medical practition
ers, Hospital and Health Department staffs, etc.
Section 28 PREVENTION OF ILLNESS CARE AND AFTER CARE
Chiropody
I am pleased to be able to report once again that a full staff of
chiropodists was maintained throughout the year. The establishment
which is the whole time equivalent of 7 posts is filled by 6 whole
time and 6 part time staff. There have been some minor changes of
part time personnel but the fact that most of the whole time
chiropodists have been with us for a number of years is indicative
of the satisfactory personal relationships which exist within the
Department.
For many years it was the practice to appoint locum tenens staff
to cover annual holidays and sickness and this appreciably increased
the number of patients who could be treated. There were always
chiropodists, for example those who were building up their own
practices, who were pleased to be able to assist in this way.
Recently the general expansion of the Local Authority Chiropody
Service in neighbouring boroughs and districts appears to have
absorbed surplus labour and more often than not it now proves impossible
to recruit relief staff. Unfortunately this tends to extend
the period between treatments. However, bearing in mind that
Walthamstow is one of the few areas to provide a full chiropody
service to all age groups as well as the priority categories, the
Present position may be regarded as very satisfactory.