§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what recognised training is available to NHS appliance clerks in the Orthotics Service; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellTraining for this group of staff is a local responsibility. There is no prescribed national training course.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how long on average a disabled person has to wait for made-to-measure footwear from the time of prescription to delivery; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. DorrellThis information is not available centrally. The new NHS contract for prescribed footwear specifies that delivery must be made within six weeks of receipt of an order. Health authorities should ensure that the contractors with whom they place orders are complying with the terms of the national contract and take up any cases of difficulty which may arise.
§ Mr. AshleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has received a copy of the report "Footwear: A Quality Issue" published by the Disabled Living Foundation on behalf of the Disabled Living Foundation, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the King's Fund and the Society of Chiropodists.
§ Mr. DorrellYes, and we are considering the recommendations.