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21
CHIROPODY
The Council provided free chiropody service to the elderly, who are in receipt of retirement pension;
handicapped, expectant and nursing mothers and the children under school age. The number of patients seen
during this year increased by 151, i.e. the figure in 1971 was 5,070 and in 1972 it was 5,221.

Number of Local Authority clinic sessions—1985.
The Council employed four full-time Chiropodists and two part-time Chiropodists who mainly worked
from the health clinics, but were also available for the domiciliary service which is given to the aged infirm,
who are home-bound and cannot reach the clinics. In addition to this four private Chiropodists were employed.
Arrangements were also made with the British Red Cross Society in rendering the chiropody service.
Chiropody treatment was also given to the school children, under the Education Act of 1944.
HOME DIALYSIS
Ministry of Health Circular 2/68 of the 4th January, 1968, informed local health authorities that
adaptations for the installation of kidney machines could be carried out under Section 28 of the National
Health Service Act, 1946, and that the Minister approved the making by the Council of such charges for this
service as the Council considered reasonable having regard to the means of the person concerned. Hospital
Authorities are responsible for providing the machinery and the running costs.
Three cases were dealt with during the year. In two of these rooms were adapted, one in Council
property costing £335.25 and one in owner occupied property costing £426.63 (the owner was assessed to pay
£250 towards the cost). The third case presented problems in that no room in a small terraced house was
available for adaptation. A portable building was installed in the rear garden by hoisting it over the roofs of
the terrace. The total cost of providing the building and ancillary works was £1,638,
LOAN OF NURSING EQUIPMENT
The Middlesex Branch of the British Red Cross Society through its Divisions at Willesden and
Wembley continues to operate the loan of nursing equipment scheme on behalf of the Council.
Under these arrangements a hire charge is collected from the patient 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 this is paid by the Council. During 1972, 1,705 articles were loaned to patients
and £1,043 was paid to the Society to meet the hire charges. The Council arranges transport for the collection
and delivery of bulky articles.
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.