§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to improve chiropody services for the elderly and to take into account the future increase in the number of citizens over the age of 60 years.
§ Mr. John PattenThe number of elderly patients—aged 65 or over—treated by National Health Service chiropody services in England increased from 1.3 million in 1979 to an estimated 1.43 million, representing about 90 per cent. of all National Health Service chiropody patients, in 1982. The main factor limiting expansion of the services is the national shortage of state-registered chiropodists. This is being met by an increase in the number of places in training schools, whose student intake rose by 28 per cent. between 1978 and 1981.