Somerset NHS Podiatry Service
What do we provide?
- Diagnosis and treatment of foot conditions below the ankle such as wounds, ulcers and infection.
- Follow up appointments for very high-risk conditions after wound healing.
- Minor surgery for patients aged 16 or over with ingrown or painful nails who meet our eligibility criteria.
- Musculoskeletal Podiatry to diagnose and treat muscle and joint-related foot and lower limb problems for those aged 15 or over. Before you access this service, you will need to try self-care and insoles from the high street.
- Home visits for patients who have a foot wound below the level of the ankle and are bed bound. Otherwise, as a clinic-based service it is expected that patients will be seen in a clinic.
What we do not provide?
- Basic foot care such as toenail care.
- Routine treatment of corns and calluses in the absence of significant medical risk and wound symptoms.
- Long term routine care for those unable to self-care.
- Treatment for warts and verrucae.
Education
If you are not currently eligible for our services, we can signpost you to educational resources or another service to support you. For advice on general foot care, footwear, ingrown toenails and infections, there is an excellent library of advice at NHS website.
Location
We are based in hubs across Somerset including Taunton, Bridgwater, Glastonbury and Yeovil, along with other small satellite clinics.
How to access the Podiatry Service
You can access these services via a referral from your GP, medical consultant or other health care professional.
What to do in an emergency
If you notice a new foot wound, sore or blister:
- cover with a clean, dry dressing
- keep clean and dry
- contact your GP during normal opening hours
If out of hours contact 111 by phone.
If you are already under Podiatry, call us directly for advice straight away.
If you have a confirmed infection and any of the SEPSIS signs or symptoms listed below, contact 999 immediately or go to Accident and Emergency.
- Slurred speech or confusion
- Extreme shivering or muscle pain
- Passing no urine in a day
- Severe breathlessness
- It feels like you are going to die
- Skin is mottled or discoloured