Peadar Clohessy
Question:23 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Health the chiropody services provided by each health board in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12122/97]
Vol. 478 No. 7
23 Mr. Clohessy asked the Minister for Health the chiropody services provided by each health board in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12122/97]
Limerick East): Arrangements for the provision of health services are a matter for the chief executive officer of the relevant health board. I have had inquiries made of the chief executive officers of each of the health boards and the position regarding the provision of chiropody services in their respective areas is as follows:
Eastern Health Board
The Board provides a chiropody service through a panel of private practitioners on the basis of three treatments per annum to medical card holders over 65 years of age who require such a service. In exceptional circumstances where the patient requires additional treatment, this is provided by the board. A service is also provided to medical card holders, under 65 years of age, with a physical handicap which necessitates chiropody treatment.
Midland Health Board
Chiropody services are provided by the board to the elderly attending day care centres and to the residents in the board's institutions. Otherwise, services are provided on a sessional basis by social service councils with grant assistance by the board under section 65 of the Health Act, 1970. Some social service councils provide a domiciliary service to homebounds clients. It is the policy of the board that clients provided with a chiropody service by social service councils are referred through the public health nurses service.
Mid-Western Health Board
A chiropodist is employed by the board in the Clare area and services for the Limerick and Tipperary (North) areas are provided by voluntary groups which are grant aided by the board.
North-Eastern Health Board
The board provides chiropody services in its institutions catering for elderly patients and for patients in day care centres attached to such institutions. Arrangements are made with local chiropodists to provide such services on a sessional basis. The board has been encouraging general practitioners in its area to provide services, such as chiropody, on a sessional basis and the general practice unit currently funds chiropody services in the Abbey House Medical Centre, Navan.
North-Western Health Board
The board provides chiropody services at clinics in various locations. A chiropody service is provided for persons in the following categories — persons aged 66 years and over, expectant mothers, mentally handicapped persons and diabetics. The board employs a total of five chiropodists — four on a full-time basis and one on a sessional basis.