Podiatry care inconsistencies

[Josie3491]

Hi Josie. Welcome to the forums. 🙂

Thank you for welcoming me to the forum.

I have a problem that i'd like to share. Maybe someone could offer some advice.

My husband and I (sounds like royalty) have been attending our health clinic for podiatry. Keith is borderline diabetic. He has his toenails clipped and his feet checked. He has no problems.

I have been having the same done, but I have infected nails and cracks on the underneath of my toes and soles. I have been told not to go back until my annual review in July next year. I'm told this is all because of the cutbacks on the NHS. Keith can still attend as before.

I can't see very well due to cataracts. I have difficulty reaching my toes because I'm too fat. I can't use the scissors very well due to arthritis. I have cut bits off the ends of some toes in the past. There doesn't seem to be any back up service for people like me.

Has anyone else had the same problem and what did they do about it?

 

[Northerner]

Hi Josie, a belated welcome to the forum from me too 🙂

I'm very sorry to hear about the way you are being treated (or not treated, it seems!) This really is the opposite of what should be happening as from what you describe you are precisely the kind of person that needs the specialist care and attention for your feet. They will not save much money in the long run if they have to deal with more serious problems (heaven forfend) in the future, so it is a false economy. Sadly, it seems to be a postcode lottery on whether you get good or poor attention for your feet, and it is something that Diabetes UK are currently campaigning about in their 'Putting Feet First' campaign. It also seems very odd that your husband can still receive the treatment even though his needs are not as compelling.

It might be worth contacting the Diabetes UK Careline service as they may be able to advise you how to go about ensuring that you receive the care you need to keep your feet healthy - they can be contacted by phone or email, details here:

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/How_we_help/Talk-to-someone/Careline/

 

[Northerner]

Josie, I have moved your post to a new thread so hopefully more people will see it 🙂

 

[AJLang]

hi Josie I have problems cutting my toe nails because of eye problems. I therefore seriously rely on my OH to check my feet and cutting my toe nails. he has also become very good with putting pink nail varnish on them

 

[thelis]

Thank you for welcoming me to the forum.

I have a problem that i'd like to share. Maybe someone could offer some advice.

My husband and I (sounds like royalty) have been attending our health clinic for podiatry. Keith is borderline diabetic. He has his toenails clipped and his feet checked. He has no problems.

I have been having the same done, but I have infected nails and cracks on the underneath of my toes and soles. I have been told not to go back until my annual review in July next year. I'm told this is all because of the cutbacks on the NHS. Keith can still attend as before.

I can't see very well due to cataracts. I have difficulty reaching my toes because I'm too fat. I can't use the scissors very well due to arthritis. I have cut bits off the ends of some toes in the past. There doesn't seem to be any back up service for people like me.

Has anyone else had the same problem and what did they do about it?

Hi Josie,
Where abouts are you in Lincs. I'm in the Sleaford area and the last time I saw the podiatrist which was November last year, she told me that they are no longer allowed to cut nails. In fact when I left my feet looked exactly like they did before I went in. I too have trouble in cutting my nails - so what are we supposed to do apart from pay privately - which I don't think I could afford.

 

[Josie3491]

hi Josie I have problems cutting my toe nails because of eye problems. I therefore seriously rely on my OH to check my feet and cutting my toe nails. he has also become very good with putting pink nail varnish on them

Hi AJ Lang,

Mine wouldn't touch my feet with a (sterile) bargepole, never mind a pair of nail scissors. I used to cut his nails before my eyesight deteriorated too much. He can't bear the thought of touching even his own feet.

My personal opinion is that I might cost the NHS money whereas he probably won't.

Tell your OH he's a lovely man, and can he please pop along to Boston to do mine?
🙂

Josie

 

[KateR]

Although I'm T2 I don't seem to qualify for any NHS podiatry either so I pay privately. Thankfully I have found a lovely man who comes to my house, checks my feet and cuts my nails for ?16 a time.

 

[Josie3491]

Hi Josie,
Where abouts are you in Lincs. I'm in the Sleaford area and the last time I saw the podiatrist which was November last year, she told me that they are no longer allowed to cut nails. In fact when I left my feet looked exactly like they did before I went in. I too have trouble in cutting my nails - so what are we supposed to do apart from pay privately - which I don't think I could afford.

Hi Thelis,

I am in Boston. I think we have the same Primary CareTrust.

Why are they allowed to cut my hubby's nails and not mine? I have not found the answer yet. Like you I think it is too expensive to be privately. The cheapest I have found is ?16 for 15 minutes. It covers hard skin removal and nail painting, but I only want my nails cut. It seems it is too much to ask. Where's our care when we need it? We've pai9d enough money in during our working lives.

Josie

 

[Northerner]

Hi Thelis,

I am in Boston. I think we have the same Primary CareTrust.

Why are they allowed to cut my hubby's nails and not mine? I have not found the answer yet. Like you I think it is too expensive to be privately. The cheapest I have found is ?16 for 15 minutes. It covers hard skin removal and nail painting, but I only want my nails cut. It seems it is too much to ask. Where's our care when we need it? We've pai9d enough money in during our working lives.

Josie

Josie, if all you need is your toenails clipping from time to time then I can't see why your practice nurse couldn't do it. I'm pretty sure that my practice nurse deals with such minor problems - might it be worth making an appointment with her? Either that or you might want to take things further and have a talk with PALS about the lack of care/inconsistency in your PCT's policies?

http://www.pals.nhs.uk/cmsContentView.aspx?Itemid=944

 

[cherrypie]

You might like to read this article from the Nursing Times April 2012. The comments show that nurses are worried about the possible repercussions concerning diabetics.

Should nurses cut patients' toenails?
http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing...ld-nurses-cut-patients-toe-nails/5043659.blog

 

[Josie3491]

You might like to read this article from the Nursing Times April 2012. The comments show that nurses are worried about the possible repercussions concerning diabetics.

Should nurses cut patients' toenails?
http://www.nursingtimes.net/nursing...ld-nurses-cut-patients-toe-nails/5043659.blog

Thanks, I read the article and do not find it reassuring. In fact it seems that the only way to deal with my nails is by getting some of thse shoes with the curly toes that were worn in the Middle Ages.

Josie

 

[Josie3491]

Josie, if all you need is your toenails clipping from time to time then I can't see why your practice nurse couldn't do it. I'm pretty sure that my practice nurse deals with such minor problems - might it be worth making an appointment with her? Either that or you might want to take things further and have a talk with PALS about the lack of care/inconsistency in your PCT's policies?

http://www.pals.nhs.uk/cmsContentView.aspx?Itemid=944

I have been to my practice today and you should have seen the look of horror on everyone's faces when I asked about toenail cutting! 'It's not a job for a nurse.' 'You'll just have to pay. ?20 is average.' 'You're just wasting the doctor's time. You can't be referred to podiatry because you are already registered.' etc.

Today I have written to my Primary Care Trust to voice my concern and seek a solution. They say that they take great care of people with diabetes, so we'll see.

Josie

 

[Northerner]

I have been to my practice today and you should have seen the look of horror on everyone's faces when I asked about toenail cutting! 'It's not a job for a nurse.' 'You'll just have to pay. ?20 is average.' 'You're just wasting the doctor's time. You can't be referred to podiatry because you are already registered.' etc.

Today I have written to my Primary Care Trust to voice my concern and seek a solution. They say that they take great care of people with diabetes, so we'll see.

Josie

Josie, I wish you every success. I can understand that they don't want to provide a toenail-clipping service for all and sundry, but for those with a clear need as a preventative measure it should surely be an exception.

 

[KateF]

Josie,

Just a thought but have you checked if AgeConcern (are they now called Age UK?) have voluntary services that do this? They used to do that in my parent's town I am sure.

 

[Josie3491]

Josie,

Just a thought but have you checked if AgeConcern (are they now called Age UK?) have voluntary services that do this? They used to do that in my parent's town I am sure.

Hi Kate,

Age UK here don't do it. I've been trying to contact a group called Silver Links. I've been told they might help. After being kept on hold for 15 minutes I had to give up today.

Regards,

Josie

 

[Josie3491]

Hi All,

Update on my footcare:
After much pestering from me, the health clinic has made me an appointment to see the podiatrist. She will not be cutting my toenails, but will look at the broken skin on my feet. She will only check that they are not infected cracks, even though they refuse to heal.

Regards,
Josie