Foot care services should be made freely available to all older people in Wales, says a charity. Age Concern Cymru wants the NHS and the Welsh Assembly Government to provide the low level foot care measures it has outlined in a new report. The services it is requesting range from basic nail cutting to general chiropody as it says good podiatry is essential to older people's health. The assembly government said it recognised the importance of foot care.

Age Concern said without access to free and comprehensive foot care services older people could become housebound, isolated and susceptible to falls. Chief executive Robert Taylor said: "By introducing the simple, low level foot care measures outlined in this report, the health service could improve the quality of life for thousands of older people in Wales overnight.

'Mobility problems' "At the same time, the Welsh Assembly Government needs to take the lead in recognising the importance of foot care services for older people's well being and ensure there is equal access to quality services across Wales. "We simply cannot afford to let thousands of older people in Wales continue to suffer from foot and mobility problems because of a general ignorance about the serious effects of neglecting foot care services."

The report is based on consultation and research with NHS bodies and local Age Concern groups. An assembly government spokesman said: "We cannot comment on a report that we have not seen and had an opportunity to study in detail.

"However, the National Service Framework for Older People in Wales set standards for the quality of health and social services and fully recognises that the ability to care for one's own feet decreases with age and highlights the importance of access to effective podiatry services. "It is for local health and social services organisations to work together and identify local needs and deliver services appropriately."