Podiatry foot protection
The Doncaster community podiatry foot protection service employs an enthusiastic team of podiatrists who provide a wide range of services to the local community, prioritising those with the greatest risk of potential limb loss.
Podiatry is the modern term for chiropody and this name reflects the increased scope of practice of the profession that has developed from its origins in chiropody to become a medical speciality dealing with the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the lower limb.
All podiatrists working in the trust are registered with the health and care professions council (HCPC) and have completed a three-year university training course at a recognised school of podiatry.
How we can help
The scope of practice of podiatry is much wider than many people realise and includes:
- at risk patient management
- sports injuries and biomechanics
- minor surgery
- foot health education
Please note that we only cover the Doncaster area.
General clinics
Within the Doncaster area we operate a number of podiatry clinics providing assessment, evaluation and treatment for patients with foot conditions that meet the service assessment criteria. The outcome of your foot and medical assessment will determine the personalised treatment plan formulated with your involvement:
- if you are low risk you will be given self-help advice and discharged
- if you are moderate risk you may be given self-help advice, treatment and either discharged or given a course of treatment leading to discharge
- if you are high risk you may be required to be seen periodically, dependant upon your foot condition for on-going care, self-help advice is also given to reduce the risk of serious foot complications developing
The aim is to help people to gain a better understanding of their foot condition, what they should and shouldn’t do to safely manage it, and know when to contact for help and who to contact.
Minor surgery
Details on nail surgery
All our podiatrists are qualified to administer local anaesthetics and trained to carry out nail surgery procedures to correct conditions such as ingrown nails.
Please note we do not provide a routine nail cutting service.
Details on verruca dry needling
Verrucae that are causing increased pain (pain scale score of 6 and above) and not responded to over the counter treatments, may be referred for assessment for ‘dry needling’ procedure which is carried out under local anaesthesia.
This treatment is not suitable for everyone and it may take up to a year to determine if it was successful for an individual.
Details on sport injuries and biomechanics, musculoskeletal assessment
Podiatrists examine the way in which the lower limb functions by looking at the patient’s bone structure, muscle and joint function. This area of work is vital to the understanding of how and why lower limb pathologies develop.
A lot of musculoskeletal problems may improve with the provision of orthoses. These are insoles that with the use of strengthening and stretching exercises can improve foot function.
Details on foot health education
New and existing patients are invited to a foot health assessment that involves discussing the roles of the patient and or their carer or relative or friend, working in conjunction with the podiatrist to help to maintain and improve people’s foot health.
We have produced some patient information leaflets and videos to help support people to understand and manage their foot health condition (see below for further guidance on specific conditions).
Guidance and training is also available to all staff within Doncaster who work in both health and social service establishments to enable them to carry out basic foot care, carry out foot health checks and raise aware of high risk foot complications and urgency of prompt referral if active foot wounds occur. For further information, please email rdash.podiatryreferrals@nhs.net.
Team work
Some of our podiatrists work alongside other health and social care professionals as part of clinical teams and contributes to specialist clinics such as the diabetes multi-disciplinary foot ulcer clinic within Doncaster Royal Infirmary.
At-risk patient management
All of our podiatrists work with patients who are known as being at risk. This means they have an underlying illness or condition that puts their legs and feet at an increased risk of injury or development of wounds, such as diabetes, rheumatology problems, some disabilities, poor circulation and reduced feeling.
Podiatry assessments
Podiatry assessments and subsequent treatment response may be influenced by any medical conditions and or the nature of the foot problem.
Treatment plans may consist of:
- practical advice and information to help patients maintain their own foot health
- a course of treatment to resolve a foot problem
- on-going treatment and surveillance to improve patient mobility and quality of life
The department also provides podiatry services where appropriate to social services establishments, day care centres, patient’s own homes and in local hospitals.
Hospital and social service establishments
All patients within Tickhill Road hospital, and those with diabetes who are in-patients at Doncaster Royal Infirmary, are visited at the request of ward staff for problems other than basic nail care. All ward staff are offered training to carry out basic nail care or foot assessments.
How to get help
You can be referred by your GP or other health professional, or you may refer yourself directly to the department by completing an application form for a podiatry assessment.
Paper copies of the referral form can be collected from Cantley Health Centre at the address below or your nearest health centre, clinic or GP surgery. Alternatively, you can request a copy be sent to you by email.
Contact Doncaster podiatry foot protection service
Cantley Health Centre
Middleham Road
Cantley
Doncaster
South Yorkshire
DN4 6ED
- Telephone: 03000 211550
- Email: rdash.podiatryreferrals@nhs.net
Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm.
Patient self-care information
You will find a range of self-care advice in the podiatry documents section of this website.
Plan your journey
If you use public transport, the Traveline journey planner provides information about what services and times are available.
Page last reviewed: February 21, 2024
Next review due: February 21, 2025