London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Richmond upon Thames 1969
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Richmond]
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the Borough. I am most grateful, however, to Mr. L. A. Dresch, Hospital Secretary,
Richmond Royal Hospital, for arranging for the hypothermia kits to be stored at the
Richmond Royal Hospital during the temporary closure of 11 Rosslyn Road, pending
its use as a hostel for the adult mentally subnormal (see page 47).
Mothers attending clinics are continually reminded by poster and pamphlet of the
dangers of hypothermia in infancy. All nursing staff are provided with low reading
thermometers.
CHIROPODY SERVICE.
Details of the chiropody scheme at present operating within the Borough are as
follows:—
Method of Provision
(a) Treatment at the surgeries of private chiropodists.
(b) Treatment at Borough Council clinics.
(c) Treatment at sessions arranged by Voluntary Societies.
(d) Domiciliary treatments.
| Category | Inclusive Charge |
|---|---|
| (a) Expectant mothers | 6/- |
| (b) Nursing mothers | 6/- |
| (c) Elderly persons | 6/- |
| (d) Physically handicapped | 6/- |
| (e) Children under 5 years | Nil |
| (f) School children | Nil |
| (g) Low income group (£8 single; £10 married) | Nil |
| The Chairman of the Social Services Committee is authorised to waive or reduce charges in special circumstances. | |
A comparison of the number of treatments given under each category during the years 1967/69 is given below:—
| 1967. | 1968. | 1969. | |
|---|---|---|---|
| (a) Expectant mothers | 29 | 22 | 34 |
| (b) Nursing mothers | 33 | 29 | 34 |
| (c) Elderly persons | 25,773 | 29,930 | 32,413 |
| (d) Physically handicapped | 434 | 559 | 628 |
| (e) Children under 5 years | 5 | 7 | 13 |
| (f) School children | 979 | 1,134 | 1,609 |
| (g) Low Income group (£8 single; £10 married) 80 | 118 | 183 | |
The following table shows the total number of treatments given in the various methods of provision during the past three years, from which the considerable increase in local authoritv treatments will be noted:—
| 1967. | 1968. | 1969. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (a) | Treatment at the surgeries of private chiropodists | 17,845 | 22,898 | 25,471 |
| (b) | Treatment at Borough Council clinics | 1,169 | 1,108 | 1,254 |
| (c) | Treatment at sessions arranged by voluntary societies (British Red Cross Society) | 2,097 | 554 | 56 |
| (d) | Domiciliary treatments | 6,224 | 7,237 | 8,133 |
It will be noted from the above figures that the Chiropody Service continues to
expand year by year. This is, of course, to be expected in a Borough where there is a
high proportion of elderly persons. The fact that these elderly persons are able to go
to the chiropodist of their choice with the minimum of travelling on public transport,
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