Podiatry

When we receive a referral, we will read over all the details provided to determine if you are eligible for the service (in a process called triage).

• Scenario 1: Eligible and urgent
  
  If your referral suggests that you will need to be seen urgently, we will make contact with you on the telephone number provided on the referral and arrange for you to be seen at the earliest availability.

• Scenario 2: Eligible and non-urgent
  
  If your referral is accepted and your problem is non-urgent, you will receive a letter in the post advising that you phone the department to book an appointment. If you do not make contact with us within 2 weeks of our letter inviting you to make an appointment, we will assume that you no longer require our services and will as such discharge you from the service.

• Scenario 3: Ineligible for podiatric management
  
  If you are not eligible for further assessment, we will be in contact to inform you of the reason or to ask for more details. We will also offer you advice.

All eligible new patients must attend an initial appointment where a full assessment will be carried out and an individual treatment plan will be agreed with you. A treatment plan may consist of education/advice leading to discharge, a one-off intervention, a short course of treatment leading to discharge or the provision of ongoing acute and chronic management for high risk patients.

Patients with diabetes who have been categorised as having Medium, High and Active Foot Disease are screened annually in order to monitor their risk status.