§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people received NHS chiropody services in each year from 1997 to 2002. [87678]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 17 December 2002]: The number of people who received chiropody services was as follows:
Year First contacts (thousands) 1996–97 2,420 1997–98 2,383 1998–99 2,381 1999–2000 2,321 2000–01 2,247 2001–02 2,278 Source:
Department of Health annual return KT23.
§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the National Institute for Clinical Excellence has issued guidance on chiropody services; and what plans the NICE has to issue guidance on NHS chiropody services in the future. [87679]
1042W
§ Mr. Lammy[holding answer 17 December 2002]: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence has not issued guidance specifically on chiropody services and has no plans to issue such guidance in the near future.
§ Mr. BaronTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what framework governs standards of provision of chiropody services in the NHS. [87682]
§ Jacqui Smith[holding answer 17 December 2002]: Primary care trusts are responsible for planning and securing the provision of the totality of care and services that their population needs. The Health Professions Council is responsible for setting and maintaining standards of professional training, performance and conduct of the 12 health care professions that it regulates, including chiropody. National service frameworks may include standards relevant to the provision of chiropody services.