§ Mr. McGradyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the chiropody service in (a) the Down unit of management, (b) the Newry and Mourne unit of management and (c) the Banbridge unit of management; and if the Department of Health and Social Services has held any discussions about increasing the work force to deal with the elderly and infirm in the community.
611W
§ Mr. NeedhamChiropody services are provided by health and social services boards for the elderly, handicapped persons, expectant mothers, schoolchildren and diabetics. Access to and frequency of treatment depends on the manpower available to meet demands from patients in these priority groups. Down unit of management has three chiropodists in post, to serve a population of 55,800, Newry and Mourne has six staff for a population of 76,600 and Craigavon and Banbridge 5.4 whole-time equivalent chiropodists for 103,400 people.
The Department has not been involved in discussions about increases in the work force. Decisions on such matters are taken by boards in the light of local needs and priorities.