HC Deb 08 July 1991 vol 194 c263W
21. Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales whether residents in private nursing homes in Wales are eligible for free NHS services including chiropody and physiotherapy.

Mr. Nicholas Bennett

Under the Registered Homes Act 1984, the person responsible for a private nursing home is required to provide adequate support services such as physiotherapy. Consequently, health authorities would not normally provide such services to patients in such homes.

The Government's policy on chiropody is that treatment should be available under the NHS, free to all who need it. However, it is for the individual health authority to decide the level of provision required in its area and detailed priorities within available resources.