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The situation has not been improved by the provisions of the Chronic Sick and Disabled
Persons Act which offer chiropody services to an even wider section of the community. The survey
completed by the social services department during the year has identified an additional 600
requests for chiropody treatment. Practically all the people treated are elderly, and many are brought
to clinics by ambulance. The service is available for school children and other priority groups,
but the major condition in children is that of plantar warts, and in order to relieve the pressure on
the service arrangements were made for alternative facilities for the treatment of this condition
during the year. Details will be found on page 136.
Initially, new applicants for the chiropody service are assessed by home nurses since simple
procedures like toe-nail cutting can be done by the nursing staff. A decision is also made concerning
the patient's ability to travel to the chiropodist by public transport or by ambulance. If
neither is practicable domiciliary treatment is provided. As the condition of the feet improve a
former domiciliary patient may, of course, become a clinic attender. If the demand for the service
is to be met radical decisions concerning future staffing arrangements will be necessary. During
the year various alternative proposals were considered.
Chiropody facilities are available at the following clinics:
Minet, Coldharbour Lane, Hayes
Laurel Lodge, Harlington Road, Hillingdon
Uxbridge, High Street, Uxbridge
West Mead, West Mead, South Ruislip
In addition, sessions are held at Elm Park Club, Park Way, Ruislip.
Arrangements are also made in co-operation with voluntary organisations as follows:
Ruislip/Northwood Old Folks' Association:
Sessions at Brackenbridge House Aged Persons' Home,
domiciliary visits and at Chiropodists' surgeries.
The British Red Cross Society:
Sessions at Dawlish Drive, Ruislip Manor.
The number of persons treated during the year was 3,140. This shows a further increase
compared with the figure for the previous year (2,801).