Nhs Chiropody And Podiatry Services

EDM number 1438 in 2001-02, proposed by David Chidgey on 13/06/2002.

That this House notes that NHS chiropody and podiatry service provision is in the decline despite its undisputed cost-effective clinical benefits and immense popularity with patients; is alarmed that new episodes of care reduced by 15 per cent. between 1996-97 and 2000-01 and total episodes of care reduced by six per cent. between 1996-97 and 1999-2000, when the collation of the figure was inexplicably discontinued; further notes that there are wide regional and local variations in NHS chiropody and podiatry provision, contrary to the Government's declaration to eradicate the postcode lottery in healthcare provision and recognises that there is a sufficient pool of state-registered chiropodists available to deliver equal access across the UK; fears that the introduction of commissioning primary care trusts may lead to a further decline in this provision with greater local and regional variations; and calls on the Government to produce national guidance to strategic health authorities and primary care trusts for the level of service that they should provide.

This motion has been signed by a total of 67 MPs.