NHS Hounslow CCG - Podiatry and Diabetes Foot …...Emergency Services We provide a Monday to Friday emergency 24 hour assessment service for patients presenting with serious foot

Podiatry and Diabetes Foot Health ServicesA guide to diabetes foot care services in Hounslow

This leaflet was produced by the Hounslow Community Diabetes Service in September 2015. Central London Community Healthcare is the provider of community services across London and in Hertfordshire.

Your first appointment

At your first appointment with our team you can expect us to:

Discuss the problems you are having with your feet

Talk through your medical history — please bring a list of prescriptions or medication you are currently taking to your appointment

Look and assess your feet for complications related to diabetes

Discuss your condition and possible treatments with you. This might be offering advice, arranging further podiatry treatment or referring you to other services

Write a letter to your GP to keep them up to date on your health

Our locations

Holly Road Medical Centre2A Holly RoadChiswickLondon, W4 1NU

The PracticeFeltham Centre for Health3rd Floor, The High StreetFelthamMiddlesex, TW113 4GU

The PracticeHeart of Hounslow92 Bath RoadHounslow, TW3 3LN

Contact usPlease note access to this service is only available for patients registered with a Hounslow GP practice and a referral from your GP is required.

For appointment and referral enquiries please contact us on:Telephone: 020 8962 4499 (Monday to Friday 9am-5pm)

Email: [email protected]

Compliments, complaints and suggestionsIf you would like to get in contact with our patient experience and complaints team to share your experience of care, please contact:

CLCH PALSEmail: [email protected]: 0800 368 0412

CLCH ComplaintsEmail: [email protected]

ML3908 CLCH Hounslow 6pp DL Podiatry&Diabetes 6pp DL Leaflet FIN.indd 1-3 26/10/2015 11:17

Information on podiatry

Podiatry, sometimes known as chiropody, focuses on foot health and related diseases. Our podiatrists specialise in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of problems affecting the feet and lower limbs of people with diabetes.

Our new service in Hounslow is made up of diabetes consultants, specialist diabetes nurses, dieticians, diabetes psychologists and diabetes podiatrists.

Our podiatrists are registered with the Health Professions Council (HCPC) and have completed a three year training course at a recognised school of podiatry at university.

Our new team can offer you direct access to diabetes specialist advice and refer you to diabetes foot care hospital services if we feel your foot problems require further specialist intervention.

Our team can have access to your GP medical records to improve communication between medical services. Therefore, it is important to advise your GP to share your medical records with us.

Our podiatry service

Our podiatrists offer a range of services in different settings, these include:

General clinicsTreatment here is comprised of: A foot assessment Agreeing an appropriate treatment plan Advice and education

Nail careNail care is provided for: Moderate and high risk patients Visually impaired patients Patients who have difficulty using their hands Patients who have weight issues that prevent

them from reaching their feet

If you do not have any foot complications relating to diabetes we will provide appropriate advice, educate any carers including family members, and refer you back to your GP practice.

Minor surgeryOur podiatrists are trained to administer local anaesthetics and carry out nail surgery for conditions such as in-grown toenails.

Podiatric surgerySome conditions like bone and joint disorders might need more invasive surgery. This will be done by a specially trained podiatric surgeon. We can refer you directly to diabetes foot care services at West Middlesex Hospital and Charing Cross Hospital. Your GP will be informed of these referrals.

Sports injuries and biomechanicsOur podiatrists will look at the way your lower limbs function and assess your bone structure, muscle and joint function. Many biomechanical problems can be treated with insoles (orthotics) that alongside strengthening and stretching exercises can improve your foot function.

Emergency ServicesWe provide a Monday to Friday emergency 24 hour assessment service for patients presenting with serious foot conditions. After an assessment, if hospital care is needed, we will refer you directly.

If you are known to the team the podiatrists will provide you with details on how to access emergency care.

If you are new to the service and need an urgent appointment, please contact your GP for referral.

ML3908 CLCH Hounslow 6pp DL Podiatry&Diabetes 6pp DL Leaflet FIN.indd 4-6 26/10/2015 11:17