§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the role of chiropodists in the NHS, with particular reference to their screening for diabetes. [4281]
§ Jacqui SmithWe have published the Allied Health Professions Strategy, which highlights the role of chiropodists/podiatrists. Chiropodists are an integral part of the Government patient-focused policy programme, particularly in relation to older people and diabetes, which are part of the National Service Framework programme.
Chiropodists/podiatrists are valued members of the national health service work force: they play a key role in detecting indications of diabetes, eg foot ulcers. However, there are also screening methods which can pick up indications of diabetes or those at risk of developing it, before such signs become apparent.
431W
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on access to chiropody services in the(a) NHS and (b) independent sector. [4280]
§ Jacqui SmithInformation about patient contacts with the chiropody service in England is collected on Department of Health return KT23 and published each year. The latest publication "Chiropody services: summary information for 1999–2000, England" is in the Library. The Department does not collect data on the independent sector.
§ Mrs. SpelmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of proposals to regulate chiropodists in the non-state registered sector. [4868]
§ Mr. HuttonThe new Health Professions Council will determine arrangements for the admission to the register. The council will have a duty to consult and involve those likely to be affected by its proposals.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the representation of private chiropodists on the NPC, indicating if private chiropodists will be allowed to select their own representative. [4925]
§ Mr. HuttonThe new Health Professions Council has one professional member from each of the professions, including Chiropody, currently regulated by the Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine. There is no specific provision for non-state registered chiropodists to be represented on the new council. However the new council will have a duty to consult and involve those likely to be affected by its proposals.
§ Chris GraylingTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the competency tests proposed for private chiropodists; and for what reason those tests will not be applied to all chiropodists. [4926]
§ Mr. HuttonThe new council will be responsible for determining competency tests required for registration. The tests will apply to all professions including chiropodists. The new council will have a duty to consult and involve those likely to be affected about the standards of proficiency it requires for registration.