HL Deb 28 July 1980 vol 412 cc662-4

2.44 p.m.

Lord WALLACE of COSLANY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps are being taken to overcome the serious shortage of qualified chiropodists in the National Health Service.

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

My Lords, plans have been agreed in principle between Health and Education Departments, the Chiropodists' Board and the main professional bodies to raise the output of chiropodists from recognised chiropody schools by 50 per cent. over the level achieved in 1978. Further expansion at these schools will be made as resources permit. The Chiropodists' Board has also approved the opening of two new schools in Plymouth and in East Sussex which between them will add another 50 places by 1986. The scope for further progress will be kept under review.

Lord WALLACE of COSLANY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for his Answer, may I ask him whether he is aware that, with inadequate provision of the service, patients quickly become dependent on other health service disciplines, at an additional cost financially to the state, and, even worse, an increase in human discomfort and eventual confinement at home, with reduced mobility? Is the Minister further aware that in many areas chiropodists are working under minimal conditions, in inadequate church halls, et cetera, and that the employment of fully qualified chiropodists within the National Health Service as against outside contracts would save money and, with adequately equipped centres, would provide a much better service?

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

My Lords, there is no doubt that there is a considerable shortage of registered chiropodists in the country. The total number of registered chiropodists is 5,000, of whom 3,500 work in the National Health Service and 1,500 in the private sector. It is well known that the number of chiropodists should be increased, but it will take time. It is a question of first training the teachers. There are 140 teachers, and more are required. So it will take time to train the teachers and then to recruit further chiropodists.

Lord WALLACE of COSLANY

My Lords, could the Minister give some assurance that his department will look into the question of inadequate centres? The problem is that fully qualified chiropodists within the service are being handicapped through lack of equipment and by having to work in makeshift halls which cannot really bear the name of "clinic". This is a matter which could be dealt with now.

Lord CULLEN of ASHBOURNE

My Lords, I fully appreciate what the noble Lord has said. I know that there are accommodation and resources problems, but I will pass on to my right honourable friend what the noble Lord has said.