HC Deb 26 July 1983 vol 46 cc404-5W
Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the provision of home helps per head of population for each region in Scotland for each of the last 10 years, giving separate percentages.

Mr. John MacKay

The information requested is not available in respect of the years to 1975, but for 1976 onwards it is given in the following table.

Mr. MacKenzie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will consider bringing the services of chiropodists within the National Health Service.

Mr. Younger

The services of chiropodists are available within the National Health Service for defined priority groups—school children, pregnant women, the handicapped and the elderly. I have at present no plans to add to these groups.

Mr. MacKenzie

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that sufficient chiropody services are available for elderly people in the west of Scotland.

Mr. Younger

In Scotland as a whole, about 250,000 patients, mostly elderly, received over 1 million chiropody treatments in 1982. Decisions about the services required in each area are primarily for the health board concerned but I understand that in the Greater Glasgow health board, for example, there are around 40 clinics providing chiropody services.