‘Flip-flops? You’re courting disaster!’

Published: 14 October, 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

DOCTORS have warned that Camden’s latest weapon in the war on binge drinking – issuing flip-flops to women in high heels – will result in more injuries and leave the Town Hall vulnerable to lawsuits.

Dr Ian Drysdale, head of the British College of Osteopathic Medicine based in Finchley Road, said flimsy flip-flops were “worse than stilettos” in their potential for causing injury.

The footwear usually seen on the beach is being handed out along with lollipops and orange squash every weekend until Christmas under the “Camden Departure Lounge” programme the council hope will lift the burden of binge drinking on Camden Town.

Dr Drysdale said: “Flip-flops are not stable. Your feet slip around, they don’t provide support and most of them are open-toed. There is a big danger of injury giving this footwear to people who might be the worse for wear. 

“Stilettos to flip-flops is like taking people out of the frying pan into the fire. The other thing is, I would be very careful giving these out to people when there is such a danger of litigation.

“People are going to slip and fall, and then ring up a no-win, no-fee lawyer the next day. The local authority is clearly trying to improve the situation for local people and that is laudable, but I don’t think this has been thought through.”

The scheme, which is up and running in Inverness Street every weekend, is managed by a private company, the Ministry of Welfare, but is jointly funded by NHS Camden, Camden Council and the Met Police.

A Camden Council spokesman said: “The Camden Departure Lounge programme helps people get home safely and, in addition to providing travel advice and maps of the local area, flip-flops are offered to women who may be struggling to walk in high heels. The choice of offering flip-flops follows successful trials of similar schemes around the country and is preferable to women walking barefoot in areas where dangers such as broken glass could cause injury. 

“Not only does providing advice and assistance actively work towards reducing instances of anti-social behaviour, but by taking a preventative approach the scheme provides an opportunity to make real savings for public services in Camden.

“Since commencing the trial the advice and items offered to visitors has been well received.”