FOR WOMEN FOOTWEAR SCHEME

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 290, 7 December 1943, Page 5

FOR WOMEN FOOTWEAR SCHEME

WOMEN IN SERVICES

CHIROPODY DEPOTS IN N.Z.

"A most progressive and comprehensive scheme,", stated the Minister of Supply, Mr. Sullivan, when commenting upon the footwear and chiropody scheme for women employed in the Army, Navy and Air l*orce and the National Service Department. "After operating for a period of five months the reports received from all over New Zealand are most satisfactory and indicate that the scheme will prove beneficial to all concerned. "I .am pleased to state that the plan was introduced with the cooperation of the orthopaedic surgeons and the footwear manufacturers throughout the country. The preparation and execution were planned by the Director of Production and the Ministry of Supply in co-operation with members of the Armed Services," added the Minister. Mr. Sullivan said that consideration had been given not only to the great " improvements in health that could be effected, but also of the savings possible. By the centralisation of the complete stocks of foot; wear throughout the Dominion of all the Services concerned a considerable saving for the year 1943 had Hppn pffpptPfl Describing' the operation .of the scheme, he sajcl that four fitting and chiropody depots, one in each of the main centres, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin, were set up. From each of these depots a mobile unit operated covering all the country camps and stations. Regarding the National Service Land Girls, only 75 per cent coverage was at present obtained by the depots and mobile units, due to their being in isolated parts of the country. The remainder were serviced with footwear under the procedure previously adopted by the National Service Department. While the attention given to the land girls represented a big improvement, it was hoped at a later date to give still better facilities to them. The Minister described the scientific fitting procedure and the card index system which made it possible at any time to ascertain quickly a recruit's fitting. If it was found that medical attention was required, the girl returned to the chiropodist, who either arranged with her medical officer or ; gave Jier the necessary treatment. Modern equipment had been installed to ensure speedy and efficient treatment of personnel. Already some 6465 treatments had been given. Returns to hand showed that 76 per cent of those examined required treatment. , „ x . .. One of the chief features of the chiropodist's duty was the prevention of foot troubles, and it could be confidently expected that, with regular facilities for consultation of experts, the girls in the Services would find rapid relief from foot ailments.