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FOOT HEALTH
Ealing has for many years provided Foot Health Clinics for children as part of the
School Health Service. This important, though until recently unique, service enables
children and their parents to obtain advice from the Medical Officer in charge about the
care of growing feet and the choice of shoes.
Some of the children who attended the Foot Clinics during 1962 did so after they
had been found to have defects by the Foot Health Nurse during her inspections at
schools. The nurse saw 9,614 children during the year and referred 136 to the Foot
Clinics for advice. Others came because parents had discovered foot troubles in their
children and felt the need for advice.
That Ealing provides this service and has knowledge of the cause and prevention
of foot troubles has been shown in two ways. Firstly by the invitation of the Childrens'
Hospital, Helsinki, Finland, for Dr Hollman to lecture on "The Prevention of Foot
Deformities". This she did in July and found that the choice of suitable shoes for children
as much a problem in that country as it is here. Secondly I was asked to send a representative
to speak at a conference on "The Foot Health of the Adolescent" organised
by the Committee of Medical Science, Education and Research of the British Medical
Association. This was held in September and since then Dr Hollman has been asked
to serve on a newly created Foot Health Advisory Panel of the British Medical
Association.
After some delay, the health educational film on children's feet was started in
September. This project has of necefssity had to be fitted into the routine work of the
department. However, nearly all the location shots were completed by the end of the
year and the film should be finished by the spring of next year when it will be available
for use in all schools in Middlesex.
Children inspected 9,614
Referrals to Doctor 136
Referrals to Chiropodist 121
Verrucae 120
Defective shoes 2,834
Everted ankles 101
Hallux Valgus 2,234
Tinea 104
ORTHOPEDIC CLINIC
Mr. J. A. Cholmeley, the Orthopaedic Consultant, reports that the work of this
clinic has continued satisfactorily throughout the year. The object of this service
is to facilitate the earliest possible diagnosis and treatment of deformities, therefore
it is not confined to school children but includes those under school age. By this
means it is hoped that foot deformities amongst Ealing school children are reduced
to a minimum.
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