Commons Sense

House of Commons · Westminster Hall

Podiatry Workforce and Patient Care

20 June 2023 · 1 other contributor · 3,727 words

Opened by John Martin McDonnell Lab Hayes and Harlington

Responding minister: Will Quince

NHS

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

John Martin McDonnell raised concerns about podiatry workforce and patient care in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.

Key points

  • The podiatry workforce faces severe issues due to a significant decline in the number of students because of reduced bursaries.
  • Hillingdon's community podiatry service struggles with only 3.5 full-time equivalent clinical podiatrists and three support workers, impacting patient care.
  • The Government should reinstate a 9,000 bursary for student podiatrists, collect national podiatry vacancy rates for workforce planning, and strengthen guidance on integrated care system membership to include allied health professionals such as podiatrists.

Key requests to Government

The Government should reinstate a £9,000 bursary for student podiatrists, collect national podiatry vacancy rates for workforce planning, and strengthen guidance on integrated care system membership to include allied health professionals such as podiatrists.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

John Martin McDonnell Lab Hayes and Harlington

The podiatry workforce faces severe issues including a significant decline in the number of students due to reduced bursaries, leading to a potential shortage of over 1.2 million people with diabetes requiring regular appointments by 2025. The current situation is dire, with Hillingdon's community podiatry service struggling with only 3.5 full-time equivalent clinical podiatrists and three support workers, impacting patient care and increasing the risk of amputations, infections, and death due to diabetic foot complications.

Other contributors (1)
  • Jim Shannon DUP Strangford

    Jim Shannon, a diabetic himself, emphasised the importance of podiatry for elderly people in care homes. He mentioned that despite cutbacks on funded appointments in his constituency, one podiatrist continued to provide free services. He argued that such access should be fully funded by the state. Volunteer podiatrists in my constituency give their time free of charge, which is crucial for the NHS. We need to push for more recruitment.

Government Response

Will Quince

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Dowd. The Minister thanks the right hon. Member for Hayes and Harlington (John McDonnell) for raising this important issue about podiatry workforce and patient care. Acknowledging that podiatrists are invaluable in NHS services, the Government recognise their importance but highlight the challenge of an ageing population living longer with long-term conditions. The Minister has researched ahead of the debate to gain a better understanding of the issues. The Minister confirms that demand for the NHS continues to grow and acknowledges the need to support the podiatry workforce both now and in the future. He notes the development of foot health standards for education and training, the podiatry apprenticeship route into the profession, and the learning support fund providing eligible nursing, midwifery, allied health professional degree students with a non-repayable grant of a minimum of £5,000 per academic year. The Minister mentions that retention is as important as recruitment. To address this, they are working closely with NHS England to ensure staff feel supported and valued, focusing on health and wellbeing and opportunities for flexible working. A long-term workforce plan has been commissioned by NHS England, which will include projections for the number of professionals needed, including podiatrists, and take full account of improvements in retention and productivity. The Minister commits to raise integrated care system guidance relating to allied health professionals with the Under-Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.

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