PENSIONERS have reacted angrily to the suspension of specialist foot care in South Craven.

Since the closure of the Cross Hills podiatry Clinic more than two years ago, a regular clinic has been held for residents at Yeadon House, Sutton.

But this week, residents of the sheltered housing scheme were dismayed to learn that the service had been stopped - because of a lack of chiropodists.

On Wednesday, the North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust apologised to patients and promised new staff were being recruited and would be in place in the summer.

Janet Probert, director of operations for the PCT, said: "We are very sorry for any inconvenience caused by reduced staffing in the Craven podiatry service, but we are doing our best to get new staff into post as quickly as we can.

"We have worked closely with local GP practices to prioritise the service so that patients who have the most pressing need for podiatry care, such as diabetes, are treated regularly."

Residents of Yeadon House - many in their 90s - only learned of the problems by word of mouth.

Warden Jean Macmahon said some residents had received letters informing them of appointments at Skipton Hospital and enclosing information about available buses.

But concerns heightened after one resident fell while attending the hospital and broke her arm, while others have felt unable to travel by bus and cross the busy Keighley Road to the hospital.

Between 15 and 20 residents at Yeadon House had been treated on a regular basis by visiting chiropodists.

Eileen Hobbs, 93, said her feet needed to be attended to every three months.

"I can't get to Skipton on the bus. I don't go out of the house anymore. I'm not very pleased because I don't know what I will do," she said.

"My feet can get quite painful. As you get older, the nails seem to get stronger."

Winifred Lofthouse, 83, has not had her feet treated since November.

"I've broken my wrist and my hip. I can't get to Skipton," she said. "My feet are very bad. My doctor told me I needed to get them done every two months.

"I just don't know what I'm going to do."

Iris Hodges, 93, the oldest resident at Yeadon House, added: "I've a disease in my toenails and they have to be drilled and cleaned. I can't get on a bus. I'll have to do something about it, but I don't know what."

Diabetic Betty Butterfield, 83, said it was important that her feet were regularly cared for.

"One of the side effects of diabetes is that your feet need to be regularly cared for by a chiropodist. I can't do my feet myself, they need to be done by a proper chiropodist."

County councillor Philip Barrett said he strongly opposed the cut in service and criticised the Primary Care Trust for neglecting its patients.

"I strongly opposed the previous closure of the podiatry service in Cross Hills. This alone was a devastating blow for our many senior citizens, which has made it both awkward and difficult for many of them who struggle to attend Skipton Hospital.

"When I called at Yeadon House last Friday, many of the residents were again up in arms because home visits to this sheltered scheme have evidently been cut.

"It is an appalling situation as it appears the PCT has no conscience and little thought for this vulnerable group of people by further eroding this service.

"I understand that the PCT is blaming cuts on staff shortages. I shall be asking the scrutiny board to keep an eye on the situation. After all, the PCT's promises have left a lot to be desired in the past."

The PCT said it would be recruiting three new members of staff following the recent departure of two employees and the imminent departure of a third.

A spokesman said the service, which covered the area from Cross Hills to Ingleton and Bentham, including Grassington, had been under pressure for two years because of the long term sickness of two members of staff.

He said once the new employees had been recruited, the service would be up to full strength with six members of staff.

Interviews were expected to take place in June and until then people were asked to be patient.

"Please bear with us over the next couple of months, after which time we hope to offer a much improved podiatry service for our patients in the Craven area," added Mrs Probert.