§ Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list those groups of persons who are automatically eligible for free chiropody service; and what is the total cost of providing this service.
§ Mr. MoyleIn 1974, when the community chiropody services previously provided by local authorities were advised that in general treatment should continue to be restricted to the then existing priority groups, the elderly, the handicapped, expectant mothers and children still at school. Although the services are expanding annually in most areas in pursuance of policy commended to health authorities, lack of resources, particularly of state-registered chiropodists, prevents authorities in all areas from providing a complete service even lot those within the priority groups. Authorities have therefore no alternative but to limit their service to what their resources allow. The cost of the community chiropody service in 1975–76 was £10,510,714 and it is estimated that the cost in 1976–77 was £10,805,631. The equivalent figure for the hospital chiropody services were £1,064,130 and £1,034,568.