§ Mrs. Fennerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will consider introducing measures to set health standards and provide minimum standards of qualifications for practising chiropodists.
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§ Dr. VaughanMinimum conditions of service, including those appropriate to health and safety standards, are prescribed for state registered chiropodists. Chiropodists, including non-state registered chiropodists, are covered by health and safety legislation. Inspectors of the Health and Safety Executive visit their premises in response to requests for advice and to investigate, where appropriate, accidents, complaints and cases of disease which may have been attributable to their work. I see no reason for the introduction of other measures at this time.
Chiropodists who practise in the National Health Service must satisfy the requirements of state registration. There is no minimum qualification required for private practice as a chiropodist. A large proportion of those in private practice are state registered and I have had few complaints about the work standards of those who are not so registered. I am, however, considering the case for limiting the title "chiropodist" to those who satisfy required standards of training or experience.
§ Mr. Dormandasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will introduce legislation to restrict the practice of chiropody to people of training and experience who genuinely earn their livelihood as full-time chiropodists; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. VaughanI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. and learned Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Lyons) on 6 December 1979.—[Vol. 975, c.313.]