§ 26. Mr. Blenkinsopasked the Minister of Health whether he will make a further statement regarding the registration of 11 chiropodists and the use of fully qualified chiropodists in a national chiropody service for old people.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI have in draft a scheme for the registration of medical auxiliaries (which includes the registration of chiropodists) on which I am further consulting the medical profession. Meanwhile the qualifications of chiropodists employed in the National Health Service are governed by statutory Regulations.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopIn view of the announcement that the right hon. and learned Gentleman has already made this afternoon about the development of the chiropody service, is it not desirable to press on more rapidly with the registration of chiropodists? Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman consider also a separate scheme for them and keep in mind the need for the development of a domiciliary service as well as a clinical service?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI should be very reluctant to abandon the attempt to have a general registration scheme in respect of medical auxiliaries and have to embark upon piecemeal legislation for these various classes of auxiliary. I do not think that would be as good an approach as the one that we have in mind. I hope before long that we shall conclude these discussions to the satisfaction of all.
Mrs. HillIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that a scheme was propounded as far back as 1956, a comprehensive scheme which he desires but on which there has not been a settlement? Is he further aware that the chiropodists are frustrated because they have had their house in order for so long and have had to wait for other people who cannot make up their minds?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithMy hon. Friend will no doubt appreciate the importance of further discussions with the medical profession, whose point of view is material to chiropodists' registration as well as to that of the other medical auxiliaries. I should be sorry to embark upon an individual scheme for the chiropodists, because I am not satisfied that it would be easy for each of the medical auxiliaries to have a scheme of their own if they were not able to come under some comprehensive arrangement.
§ Mr. BlenkinsopWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman say something about the need for domiciliary care in the chiropody service, because these are the cases that most need attention?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithYes, I appreciate that. That would be for examination in the ordinary way in the context of the individual circumstances of each local health authority. I would like to consider that point further in my consultations with the local authorities, before issuing the circular to which I have referred.