Podiatry

Podiatry is the medical discipline which deals with foot related health and disease. The word podiatry has largely replaced the term chiropody by professionals. Podiatrists specialise in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of problems affecting the foot and ankle.

The podiatry service is aimed at people with 'at risk' feet who have a clinical need to prevent foot related issues. This means that priority will be given to people who have been diagnosed with poor circulation, loss of feeling in the feet, or another medical condition which places them at risk of developing ulcerations, infections or other significant foot problems.

We do not offer a simple nail cutting service to patients whose feet are not considered to be 'at risk' and we do not treat verrucae. Treatment will only be provided if deemed necessary by the podiatrist and you could be discharged following your initial assessment with advice on self-care.

What we do 

The podiatrists work in close partnership with other health professionals including GPs, specialist nurses, district nurses, practice nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and hospitals

• Specialist biomechanics clinics: gait and developmental abnormalities are assessed and where appropriate, orthoses (insoles) are prescribed to correct and maintain foot function
• Nail surgery: the removal of either part of the nail or the whole nail under local anaesthesia to correct in-growing toe nails
• Wound care clinics: providing care for complex foot wound services
• Advanced vascular assessments for those referred by podiatrists: using specialist diagnostic equipment, podiatry staff are able to assess blood flow to the feet that can be a valuable indicator as to their vascular status. Direct referral to vascular consultant if necessary
• Diabetes care: providing annual foot assessments; treatment, specialist education (DESMOND) and review of patients with diabetes. Working as part of the diabetes multidisciplinary team including consultant led foot clinic. Provide direct referral to the consultant diabetologist if necessary. LSCft specialist foot care clinics take part in the National Diabetes Foot Care Audit (NDFA). Further details below.
• Rheumatology clinics: providing assessment, treatment and review including provision of orthoses or insoles where necessary. Working as part of the multidisciplinary team including consultant led clinic. Provide direct referral to the consultant if necessary
• General podiatry clinics: a holistic approach to general foot care and health education to improve or maintain foot health for those patients with an assessed need including biomechanics and wound care
• Foot care clinics: for basic foot care, foot health education and advice for those with at risk feet

How to access the service

The service accepts self-referrals and referrals from GPs, please complete a referral form. 

Download the podiatry referral form

This service is available for advice and assessment to people of all ages including children who are registered with a GP in the following areas:

• Preston
• Longridge
• Chorley
• South Ribble

The service is provided from a number of community clinics and health centres. Home visits are available for people who are housebound.

Where the service is provided