Podiatry cuts

[Barb]

Was really pleased to get an appointment at a local podiatry clinic before xmas but following the usual tests and treatment I was told that l'll be given three more appointments and then discharged😱😱.

Although I'm coming up to my 34th year with Type 1 diabetes, I don't have signs of loss of sensation in my feet or a history of heart disease (although my father had a heart bypass it wasn't responsible for his eventual death) and, as a non-smoker, am not considered high risk. This is good news in one respect but I'd have thought the likelihood of problems was likely to increase with age, not diminish.

Of course, it's all down to NHS cuts but it seems a bit of a false economy. Has anyone else had the same news?

 

[Northerner]

I attend an excellent NHS podiatrists service and wasn't given any indication of cuts last time I went in November last year. Something like this really ought to be on a par with retinopathy screening for people with diabetes, in fact along with all the other tests we get like HbA1c, kidney function, cholesterol - why should our feet be less important? And how much would the NHS save if lack of checks led to hospital admissions? I wouldn't be surprised if one day in hospital costs more than 5 years of checks, very short-sighted, as you say

Have you considered writing to the PCT and your MP?

 

[ukjohn]

I've not heard of any cuts in podietry at my local Health Center, I see the NHS one every 3 months have done for the last 4 years and she cuts and trims my toenails every visit.

John

 

[margie]

I know its not the same but bring it up when you are next at clinic so that at least you can get some checks done there.

 

[slipper]

I went last week and no mention of any cuts either.

 

[Northerner]

The trouble is that podiatry services seem to be one of those areas that PCTs can muck about with so it's not consistent across the country.

 

[AlisonM]

My feet are always checked at the surgery and they're pretty thorough and seem to know what they're doing. Perhaps yours would do it for you?

 

[trophywench]

I've never had automatic appointments, but then I hardly ever have anything wrong with my tootsies. When I have 9ngowing toenail once, painful hard skin another time) I've just gone to what was then a chiropodist privately.

I was walking wonky on one foot (because of my bunion, I reckon) not so long ago which hurt, so mentioned it to doc who ref'd me to the podiatrist in the surgery. I was in there approx 8 minutes; he never touched or examined my feet at all and pronounced that I should wear flat lace up shoes ....... I said where do you get them in a size 5.5? and he was sorry, he didn't know - he usually told people to buy mens but my feet were too small.

End of NHS podiatry experience - I certainly shan't be repeating it.

If I have a prob in future (incidentally, that prob cleared up on its own a fortnight later) I'll pick one out of the phone book and just pay.

 

[cherrypie]

There is no podiatry service for diabetics in my area unless you have problems. I see a podiatrist every 6 weeks and pay for it. Suits me after some of the horror stories I hear from other diabetics in my area when I attend the clinic.

 

[lucy123]

I had two podiatry appointments, which finally confirmed I had infections in quite a few nails. However I was only given the two appointments but was told I had a open appointment for the next 12 months should any problems arise.

I did get the impression though that they felt I was low down the list in terms of priority.

This does mean I need to keep a close eye on my toes myself now with regards to the infection.😱

 

[Barb]

Thanks

Thanks for all the replies - I'll follow up with the suggestions. When I queried the decision at my last appointment I was told I could appeal to get reinstated if I developed problems but it seems strange to be taken out of a system that works well and then to have to battle to get back into it.

I had two podiatry appointments, which finally confirmed I had infections in quite a few nails. However I was only given the two appointments but was told I had a open appointment for the next 12 months should any problems arise.

I did get the impression though that they felt I was low down the list in terms of priority.

This does mean I need to keep a close eye on my toes myself now with regards to the infection.😱

 

[Northerner]

Thanks for all the replies - I'll follow up with the suggestions. When I queried the decision at my last appointment I was told I could appeal to get reinstated if I developed problems but it seems strange to be taken out of a system that works well and then to have to battle to get back into it.

Absolutely! And I would also say this, the whole point about seeing a podiatrist is that they are the experts and can spot potential problems at the earliest stage, leading to better treatment and outcome possibilities. How stupid is it therefore to wait until things have become so apparent to the individual that there is a problem, that the outcome may be far worse and treatments more expensive?