§ 42. Dame Joan Vickersasked the Minister of Health whether he will state Her Majesty's Government's policy in regard to the employment of qualified auxiliaries in place of or in addition to the trained and registered professional chiropodists in National Health Service clinics.
§ Mr. K. RobinsonWith certain exceptions specified in the 1964 regulations 913 any person employed in the capacity of chiropodist in the National Health Service must be State registered. The employment of persons in other capacities in connection with the care of the feet is a matter for employing authorities.
§ Dame Joan VickersWill the right hon. Gentleman look into this matter? Several local authorities are proposing to employ what they call "qualified" people. We had a very difficult time in getting professions supplementary to medicine to agree to come into the Act and it would be very detrimental to the profession and to the people in general if there were not compliance with the Act.
§ Mr. RobinsonLocal authorities have been advised that regulations do not prevent the employment of persons to carry out simple foot hygiene, especially for old people, of a kind which any active person might do for himself. But there is no recognised qualification or grade of auxiliary chiropodist.