§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made of the contribution of podiatrists in the non-state registered sector towards (a) the early identification of diabetes, (b) the early identification of rheumatoid arthritis, and (c) the care of older people. [HL1905]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathNon-state registered chiropodists/podiatrists are not allowed to practise in the National Health Service and information is not collected from the private sector.
The Government are proposing to modernise the regulation of professional healthcare staff to address the need for consistency of standards within professions using the same title. From April 2002, a new health professions council will be established and all those wishing to be able to practise as a chiropodist or podiatrist will be able to seek registration. The council will require all practitioners to meet accepted standards of safe practice and apply consistent, fair and appropriate measures to deal with practitioners whose practice falls short of those standards.
§ Earl Howeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What assessment they have made (a) of the likely impact of the draft Health Professions Order on the future availability of podiatry services in the independent sector, and (b) of the likely impact on National Health Service podiatry services of any drop in the number of independent practitioners. [HL1908]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathThe Department of Health has been and continues to be in discussion with both the regulated and unregulated chiropody/ podiatry sector. We are fully aware of the issues surrounding the regulation of this group of staff. We would hope that all members of the unregulated sector would take the opportunity to become regulated.