§ Mrs. Iris RobinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what chiropody service is available within the Ulster Community and Hospitals Trust Area, with particular reference to Ards and Bangor Community Hospitals. [155422]
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§ Angela SmithChiropody services are provided at Ards and Bangor Community Hospitals and in nine other health facilities in the North Down and Ards area. A service is also provided to 40 nursing and residential homes, to training and resource centres, in GP based diabetic clinics and to the homes of patients who are housebound. An additional two podiatrists were recruited in January 2004.
Priority in the provision of services is given to patients whose medical conditions place feet and legs at risk of developing complications.