§ 59. Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the present shortage of National Health Service trained and state registered chiropodists and the number of training places which will be available in 1986–87; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. HayhoeAlthough at 31 March 1984, 14 per cent. of funded posts in chiropody were unfilled after three months, I understand that because of improved recruitment since then the number of such vacancies has fallen.
Firm information is not available on the exact number of training places which will he available in England in the academic year 1986–87—the figure for 1985–86 was 318, which represents a 16 per cent. increase over previous years. This increase takes account of the opening of a new school of chiropody at Northampton. A further school at Southampton should be ready for opening in the 1987–88 academic year.