Anyone used a private podiatrist?

[MarkGeordie]

Has anyone ever used one?

I was refered to NHS podiatry as was categorised as increased risk.

First appointment was cancelled and now the second one has been too.

A friend suggested I seek a private one. There is one in my area, very good too by their reviews, they charge £40 for 45minutes.

My query is, is it worth it? If I pay and they recommend anything like treatment etc will the NHS then help with this or would I need to stay private and pay for it?

Just worried that’s all and not sure when I’ll be rescheduled for whereas the private one can see me Thursday if I want.

 

[Robin]

Has anyone ever used one?

@Flower has been using one since her high risk NHS clinic was cancelled at the start of the pandemic, hopefully she’ll see this and respond.

 

[MarkGeordie]

@Flower has been using one since her high risk NHS clinic was cancelled at the start of the pandemic, hopefully she’ll see this and respond.

Ah thanks I’ll keep a check for replies.

 

[grovesy]

I saw one when I was first diagnosed but I never needed referring so I can't help with refferal. Why not contact them and ask?

 

[AndBreathe]

Has anyone ever used one?

I was refered to NHS podiatry as was categorised as increased risk.

First appointment was cancelled and now the second one has been too.

A friend suggested I seek a private one. There is one in my area, very good too by their reviews, they charge £40 for 45minutes.

My query is, is it worth it? If I pay and they recommend anything like treatment etc will the NHS then help with this or would I need to stay private and pay for it?

Just worried that’s all and not sure when I’ll be rescheduled for whereas the private one can see me Thursday if I want.

MarkGeordie, we have a local podiatrist on our cycle of speakers for our local Diabetes UK group. It helps tthat she's very personable, and an excellent communicator, but I would attend her in a heartbeat.

During her presentations, she is always at pains to reassure members that she (and all podiatrists) have a fast-track referral back into the NHS. On the basis the referral is professional-to-professional, if she says her patient requires further assistance, whether medically, with drugs, or fast-tracking into specialist podiatry, it happens - fast.

I'm afraid relationships with professionals are very much influenced by the individual. If you have confidence in them, then tthings tend to go pretty well. If you are very sceptical, then you will always be doubtful.

Personally? If I had concerns about my feet (or had been told I was at elevated risk), I would find £40 a bargain. It needn't necessarily be a repetitive cost, if you get along with the NHS when that eventually happens.

Good luck with it, whatever you decide.

 

[nonethewiser]

If I pay and they recommend anything like treatment etc will the NHS then help with this or would I need to stay private and pay for it?

NHS will mate, wife uses private podiatrist & has had treatment after their recommendation.

 

[Annemarie]

I usually use a local Podiatrist but while she was closed during the first lockdown I trimmed my nails myself - and shortened a toe by a few millimetres! It’s still healing so I’d say yes, the service is well worth the £48 charge

 

[Flower]

I've been using a private podiatrist since they were able to reopen last year. It's been invaluable to me, they have been really careful with my feet and cut my nails, checked for wounds, heel splits etc and removed the callus that builds up under my cast. They don't do any checks such as pulse/blood flow or filament test for neuropathy but the appointment gives me peace of mind every 8 weeks. My high risk clinic stopped last March and having been advised to have an amputation I've been desperate to avoid any problems so was relieved to find somewhere I could go for checks. It's £44 well spent.

The NHS podiatry clinics that are still running differ from area to area, I know some foot clinics are running around the country especially high risk clinics - my area is doing emergencies only but no surveillance clinics to avoid the need for emergencies.

You can go to an NHS clinic after being seen at a private podiatrist and vice versa- at an emergency clinic last summer after my foot wound had been dressed I asked if they could cut my nails as I'm partially sighted and was told that wasn't a service they did and I needed to go privately.

After a phone appointment last week with my NHS clinic I was advised to carry on as I am as the clinics are just not available at present. I hope you get reassurance and good care if you do go to the private podiatrist.