§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on NHS chiropody services in Gloucestershire. [107560]
§ Mr. HuttonAs part of a package of savings to ensure Gloucestershire Health Authority meets its financial duties, Gloucestershire Health Authority introduced changes to the provision of chiropody on 1 November 1999.
The changes to chiropody services have been reached in agreement with local National Health Service trusts and primary care groups to ensure that patients are affected as little as possible by the need to make financial savings.
All the measures taken have been aimed at ensuring chiropody services continue to be provided to all individuals with an identified medical and chiropodial need for the service.
Gloucestershire Health Authority are continually monitoring the impact of the changes in chiropody and are reviewing the situation early this year and again at the end of April 2000.