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Commenting on the Help the Aged report published today, which shows that about a quarter of people aged over 65 are not receiving the professional foot care they need, Shadow Health Minister John Baron MP said:
"The latest research from Help the Aged confirms what Conservatives have been saying for years – that many elderly patients waiting for simple and routine services such as nail cutting face long delays or being told they are no longer eligible for treatment."
"There is clearly a postcode lottery in access to chiropody services, with many patients having to run the gauntlet of a system in which eligibility for treatment varies enormously between PCTs. As a result, many pensioners are being forced to go private in order to receive basic foot care, sometimes paying up to £30 a treatment – a significant proportion of their pensions."
"Chiropody illustrates how, in a culture of targets, conditions which are not targeted tend to suffer as resources are diverted towards priorities decided by politicians. A future Conservative Government would replace NHS targets with a set of clinical standards and entitlements for all conditions so as to end the postcode lottery."
"For many elderly people, good foot care means the difference between mobility and a life of dependency on others, and yet Labour's attitude towards chiropody has been complacent. The Government still refuses to take responsibility – claiming that 'access to chiropody services is a local matter'. In view of today's report, this complacency must now end."
Help the Aged
Older people denied access to basic foot care
18 August 2005
Help the Aged has revealed how 1.6 million older people cannot get help with foot care from the NHS, leaving them in pain, housebound and at an increased risk of falls, dependence, or worse. The findings form part of a new report, 'Best Foot Forward: older people and footcare'.
Cutbacks in NHS budgets and tough eligibility criteria mean that older people with basic foot health needs, such as toenail cutting, are denied vital care - which could help them stay active and independent.
Jonathan Ellis, policy manager at Help the Aged, said: "The Government says it wants to promote real choice for patients using the NHS, but restricting access to basic care, with no alternative support, is not offering choice.
"To an older person, basic foot care services, such as regular toenail cutting, offer a massive lifeline. It can make the difference between becoming housebound and leading a full and active life."
He added: "Cutting back on foot care provision for older people is a false economy because the long-term financial and health implications are far greater than any short-term savings."
Help the Aged is calling on the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) to develop guidelines on podiatry in later life and would like to see a Parliamentary inquiry into why so few older people are eligible for NHS podiatry services.
Copies of 'Best Foot Forward: older people and foot care' are available for £8 by calling the Help the Aged publishing department on 020 7278 1114.
OAPs with no NHS care 'use razor blades to treat feet'
Here is another vesion of the same release, but look at the title: OAPs with no NHS care 'use razor blades to treat feet
From the Scotsman
Quote:
OLDER people who need treatment for foot problems are reaching for razor blades to treat themselves because they cannot access NHS care, campaigners said today.
More than a million over-65s have difficulties getting basic NHS foot care, according to Help the Aged.
It said many of them resorted to tending their own feet - often with dangerous consequences.
One man interviewed by Help the Aged said: "I use a razor blade to shave off my corns to save money. Sometimes it starts bleeding but otherwise it's OK."
The concerns were raised in the report Best Foot Forward: Older people and foot care.
Help the Aged said NHS podiatry services for older people should not be neglected.
The report said that of the 6.5 million over-65s needing professional foot care, one in four - 1.6 million - could not get NHS help.
Here is another vesion of the same release, but look at the title...... From the Scotsman
This particular Calvanistic organ enjoys a well-deserved reputation of understating the case. Last September they were predicting a premiership title for the Jambos when everyone else knew the red devils had Europe in their sights. Sometimes you got to throw caution to the wind!
Why do not the Voluntary / Charitiy agencies not fulfill this clearly defined need.
I am sure that they could achieve this fairly easily.
Certainly in my PCT we would be very pleased to provide the relevant training to their volunteers so that a safe and cheap social nail care service could be provided to those older citizens who have no health care need but do indeed have a social need.
This would make intelligent sense.
THis is what i thought that Age Concern Help The Aged et al were there to provide for their client base.
The NHS is there to meet the health care needs on a non discriminatory and so prioritising health care according to age ONLY is HIGHLY DISCRIMINATORY.
So do we say to a 25 year old IDDM with Neuropathy PVD Kidney disease impaired eyesight ulceration of foot.
SORRY
But as we only see happy healthy pensioners for their 8 weekly pedicure we are not able to provide the 2 x weekly wound care , Orthopaedic Shoes , Specialised Orthotics etc etc.
Damn that Amputation has cost the PCT £10k and he now needs adaptions to his home . He no longer works , he is fairly dependent upon his wife and family. Wife no longer works. needs a disability car . Home care , respite care.
Report reveals Government are complacent over chiropody
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