Surgical Footwear Mr. Robert Rhodes James asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the regulations regarding the number of pairs of shoes a disabled person may have from the National Health Service at any one time. Mr. Alfred Morris There are no statutory regulations, but, when surgical footwear is prescribed, health authorities normally provide two pairs. Exceptionally, a third pair may be supplied where there are strong medical or occupational grounds or where the patient would suffer hardship without them.