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14
This service was provided in the main by the direct employment of chiropodists by the Council, partly
by arrangement with certain private chiropodists, and partly by arrangement with a voluntary organisation.
Where treatment could not, because of the patient's age or handicap, be given at a clinic or surgery,
arrangements were made for a chiropodist to visit the patient's home.
Valuable assistance was given to this service by the British Red Cross Society.
Chiropody treatment for school children was provided under the Education Act, 1944 (see Table page
68).
The alterations at Neasden Clinic to provide a new chiropody room were completed in July at a
cost of £850. The new facilities have proved to be of great benefit to patients and staff.
On 15th November the Council decided that the service should be free to all eligible persons. Prior
to this the standard charge for the service was 4/- if one foot was treated or 8/- if both feet were treated. It
was free to:
(a) Expectant and nursing mothers, children under 5 years of age and school children;
(b) Persons in receipt of Ministry of Social Security Grant or Supplementary Grant;
(c) Perso ns of pensionable age;
Provided that the total income did not exceed
(d) Other eligible persons m receipt of un- £5 per week for a single person or £8 per week
employment, disablement or sickness forusband and wife.
benefit.
One half of the standard charge was made to all other persons in receipt of retirement pensions.
HOME HELP SERVICE
There were 1,066 applications for the service in 1967, and the number of cases receiving help at the
end of the year increased from 1,006 to 1,065. Three tuberculosis cases were helped, and help was provided free
to one mother suffering from toxaemia of pregnancy. One hundred and thirteen bookings were taken for home
confinements but only 71 were helped, including 27 48-hour discharge cases in which help was provided free.
The remainder made other arrangements.
In November, the Council considered a report on the proposals formulated by the London Boroughs'
Association for the introduction of revised assessment scales and charges for the Social Services. It was agreed
that the Standard Charge for the Service should be increased from 4/9d. to 6/9d. per hour from 4th December
and that help should cease to be given free to 48-hour discharge maternity cases.
Three persons were employed as neighbourly helps. The maximum payment for this work was
increased from £2 to £3.7.0 per week from the 4th December.
From 4th September, the rate of pay of Home Helps was increased to 5/6⅞d. per hour. The establishment
of 95 full-time equivalent Home Helps was not reached but an average of 90 has been maintained.
During the year the Council agreed to provide Home Helps having over six months service with
poplin mackintoshes.
The Organisers made a total of 6,356 visits.
LOAN OF NURSING EQUIPMENT
The Middlesex Branch of the British Red Cross Society continues to operate the loan of nursing
equipment scheme on behalf of the Council.
Under these arrangements a hire charge is collected from the patients by the British Red Cross Society
and retained by the Society to enable it to purchase replacement equipment as required. If the patient is
unable to meet the hire charge it is paid by the Council. During 1967, 2,310 articles were loaned to patients.
Transport required for the collection and delivery of bulky articles is provided by the Council.
During the year the Council paid to the British Red Cross Society £591.7.3. in respect of patients' hire
charges.
In general, the scheme is intended to facilitate simple, short-term nursing care in the patient's home.
Certain items of catheterisation equipment may be provided as a personal issue to paraplegic patients to enable
them to care for themselves in their own homes. Other items of equipment may be purchased in special cases.
TUBERCULOSIS
(Tables 14—17)
Mortality and Morbidity
There were eight deaths from pulmonary tuberculosis among men and four among women. Two of
the deaths were in the middle age group (a man and a woman), the remainder were in the older age group.
The number of deaths was the highest recorded since 1963 when 17 people died of the disease. Three of the
men and one woman were previously unknown to the health authorities. In view of this reservoir of infection
in the community, B.C.G. vaccination is an important preventive measure offered to all school leavers to raise
their resistance to the disease. This is very necessary during adolescence when the risk of infection is higher and
many new stresses have to be faced (for details of B.C.G. vaccination of school leavers see Report of Principal
School Medical Officer, page 67).
Care and After Care
The arrangements providing for the care and after care of patients have continued throughout the
year.