§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if she is satisfied with the provision of free chiropody services for pensioners in the Ormskirk area.
§ Dr. OwenThere are eight chiropodists—one full-time, seven part-time—providing services under the National Health Service to retirement pensioners and other priority patients in the Ormskirk district. In addition a limited domiciliary service is provided to the elderly by a voluntary body acting as agents for the health authority. I recognise that this may be less than adequate at present. The long-term objective is to expand and improve services nationally to an acceptable standard as manpower and other resources permit. Local arrangements are a matter for individual area health authorities.