§ 13. Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he has any proposals for dealing with the shortage of chiropodists.
§ Mr. DeakinsI have in mind to draw health authorities' attention to methods of improving services within present resource constraints.
§ Mr. MartenWhen are there likely to be enough chiropodists for the National Health Service, and what are the Government's proposals in the meantime for relieving the shortage? Many elderly people are becoming almost immobilised, and some are in great pain, because of a shortage of chiropodists and the resultant inability to have their feet treated.
§ Mr. DeakinsI appreciate the hon. Gentleman's concern. Services are still inadequate in some areas, even for priority groups. However, a substantial pay increase—38 per cent.—was given to chiropodists last year as a result of the Halsbury Report, so I do not think that pay is a disincentive to NHS employment. The number of students in training increases each year, and last year a new training school was started for State registration.
§ Mrs. KnightWill the Minister bear in mind that his information that services in some areas are inadequate does not square with the facts, because in some areas services are totally non-existent? Does he accept that it is part of the job of the National Health Service to look after people who are crippled in this way, and will he do a little more about this matter?
§ Mr. DeakinsThe proposed circular which will, I hope, be going out soon to health authorities will cover the point 681 about which the hon. Lady is concerned. For example, we shall be asking health authorities to use salaried staff rather than private practitioners on a fee basis, by clinic provision rather than by provision of domiciliary services, and by using foot hygienists to perform simple foot care and hygiene under direction from a qualified NHS chiropodist.