§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what is the annual cost of prescribed surgical footwear; and what future plans he has to review the design of National Health Service surgical footwear.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe annual cost of surgical footwear prescribed through the hospital service is estimated at £20 million. The Department has recently issued for consultation with the industry a revised technical specification for orthopaedic footwear. North West Thames RHA, which acts as the centre of124W responsibility for the provision of surgical appliances and orthopaedic footwear, is responsible for approving manufacturers of orthotic appliances and surgical footwear.