To ask the Minister of Health to detail any plans to introduce podiatrists as first contact practitioners, given the increasing rates of musculoskeletal issues, diabetes, foot ulceration and associated infection and major and minor amputation.

Podiatry services are available across all 5 Trusts providing both routine and emergency podiatry care to those patients who are at risk of developing limb or life threatening pathology.

Podiatry services are open access services, meaning that people can contact the service directly to obtain an appointment and do not have to be referred to the service by another health care professional. There are currently no plans to introduce a first contact podiatrist role into primary care settings at this time.

The Department is developing a rehabilitation framework for Northern Ireland, the framework will support the strategic design and development of rehabilitation services across Northern Ireland. Podiatry services would be seen as a key service in the delivery of rehabilitation for patients who have experienced amputation following active foot disease or for those patients with Musculo skeletal pathology.