Chiropody Service (Hansard, 2 March 1959)

§ 1. Mr. Kershaw
asked the Minister of Health whether he is yet in a position to announce an extension of the chiropody services provided under the National Health Service.

2. Mrs. Hill
asked the Minister of Health whether he will make a statement on the future of the chiropody services provided under the National Health Service Act.

§ 22. Mr. J. Johnson
asked the Minister of Health what are his proposals for extending the chiropody services provided under the National Health Service.

§ 28. Mr. Gower
asked the Minister of Health what plans he has to develop the chiropody services under the National Health Service Act; and if he will make a statement.

§ The Minister of Health (Mr. Derek Walker-Smith)
Yes, Sir. I am now ready to approve proposals by local health authorities who wish to provide a chiropody service as part of their arrangements for the prevention of illness under Section 28 of the National Health Service Act. I propose to consult the local authority associations immediately on the terms of a circular to be sent to the authorities.

§ Mr. Kershaw
Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that that reply will give a great deal of satisfaction? May I ask him two questions? First, can he indicate what categories of people will be able to benefit by this; and secondly, will he give an assurance that the very considerable labours of voluntary organisations will not be lost as a consequence of this new step?

§ Mr. Walker-Smith
As to the first part of the supplementary question, this is, of course, a matter for the individual local health authorities, but I intend to ask them to give priority in the early years of the new service to the elderly, physically handicapped and expectant mothers. As to the second part concerning voluntary bodies, as my hon. Friend may know, from 1st April next local health authorities wishing to contribute to the funds of voluntary organisations under Section 3 28 (3) for the purposes of providing chiropody will not need to seek my approval to do so.

§ Mr. Johnson
As there are many outside the National Health Service who are now fully-qualified chiropodists, is it the right hon. and learned Gentleman's intention to invite them to take part in this larger service alongside the ancillary work now being done in hospitals?

§ Mr. Walker-Smith
Chiropodists employed by local health service authorities will need to possess one or other of the qualifications prescribed under the National Health Service Medical Auxiliary Regulations, 1954.

Mrs. Hill
Is my right hon. and learned Friend aware that there will be great satisfaction that this service is being extended? One most important point, however, is that those employed by all these bodies should be fully qualified according to the standards of the Society of Chiropodists. Does my right hon. and learned Friend hope that we shall have registration of those chiropodists very soon?

§ Mr. Walker-Smith
I am obliged to my hon. Friend for what she said at the beginning of her supplementary question. In regard to the latter part, there is a further Question on the Order Paper about these matters. On the generality of it, I think the House would wish that the standards for chiropodists in local health authority services should not be inferior to the general standard required.

§ Dr. Summerskill
While welcoming this announcement, may I put two questions to the right hon. and learned Gentleman? Firstly, when will this service come into operation, and secondly, will it be domiciliary?

§ Mr. Walker-Smith
As I said earlier, I am proposing to consult the local health authorities at once and then to send an appropriate circular. No doubt the local health authorities will wish to await the arrival of that to institute their services. In regard to the second part of the question, I would expect this service to be based on clinics.

§ Mr. Gower
While the cost will depend upon the speed with which the scheme is implemented by the local health authorities, can my right hon. and learned Friend 4 say what sort of total financial provision is to be made and whether he has any ideas on priorities which will follow on the full implementation of the scheme?

§ Mr. Walker-Smith
As my hon. Friend says, it is difficult to estimate the cost as it is dependent upon the take-up by the local health authorities. I should say that on a national basis it could be expected to rise to a figure of between £1 million and £2 million over a period of the next few years. As to priorities, I would, as I have said, hope that priority would be given to the elderly, the physically handicapped and expectant mothers.