Number of NHS chiropodists falls by 12pc over past decade
The number of chiropodists in the NHS has fallen by 12 per cent over the last decade, according to new figures.
Workforce data from NHS Digital shows that the number of chiropodists across the country fell by 369 to 2,703 between 2010 and 2019.
Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden has warned the figures mean patients with foot conditions are waiting longer for treatment, and also prove that parts of the NHS have been "severely cut back".
The Labour MP submitted a written parliamentary question over the issue after some constituents had told him they were struggling to get appointments.
He said: "These figures show the kind of pressure some NHS services are under.
"A cut of 12 per cent in the number of chiropodists employed by the NHS means people waiting longer, sometimes in pain, for much needed treatment.
"It also adds hugely to the pressure under which the remaining chiropodists are working.
"We have had a lot of talk from the Government about austerity being over but these kind of cuts in NHS services show that not to be the case.
"Of course all eyes at the moment are on the response to coronavirus, but these figures show that parts of the NHS had been severely cut back even before the virus appeared."
Since April 2013 clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have held the power to decide what footcare services to commission for their local area.
Individual CCGs decide what to make available on the NHS, depending on local need.
