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Special Topic
Free NHS Chiropody Treatment
Is free chiropody available on the NHS?
Free NHS Chiropody and Podiatry treatment is theoretically available but the process to get treatment varies according to where you live, your medical need and the PCT (Primary Care Trust) you come under.
In my local area the PCT covering Tenterden, Kent, is Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT who cover Kent and Medway, the south east coast and the East Kent Hospitals, www.easternandcoastalkent.nhs.uk
Tenterden, Kent
The following NHS Chiropody and Podiatry Clinic covers Tenterden and the immediate surrounding area:
East Cross Clinic
Recreation Ground
Road
Tenterden
Tel: 01580 262000
Other Areas in Kent
Other NHS Chiropody / Podiatry and foot care clinics in the Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT area:
- Vicarage Lane, Ashford
- William Harvey Hospital, Paula Carr Centre, Ashford
- William Harvey Hospital, Elizabeth Browne Unit, Ashford
- Canterbury Health Centre, Old Dover Road, Canterbury
- Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital, Herne Bay
- Whitstable Health Centre
- Aylesham Health Centre
- Deal and Walmer Clinic, Bowling Grene Lane, Deal
- Dover Health Centre, Maison Dieu Road, Dover
- Baker Road Clinic, Cheriton
- Dymchurch Clinic, The Surgery, 9 Orgarswick Avenue, Dymchurch
- Hythe Clinic, High Street, Hythe
- New Romney Clinic, Station Road, New Romney
- Faversham Health Centre, Bank Street, Faversham
- Broadstairs Health Centre
- Birchington & Westgate Clinic
- Newington Road Clinic, Ramsgate
- College Road Clinic, Margate
Download this PDF for all Community Clinics in Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT. This PDF will tell you which days and times clinics are open and clinic telephone numbers.
Other parts of the UK
For information about Chiropody and Podiatry clinics in other parts of the country please look on the NHS Choices website (www.nhs.uk) to locate your local PCT and then look on the relevant PCT website. Alternatively contact your GP.
Who can get Treatment
You can self refer to your local NHS Chiropody and Podiatry clinic or be referred by your GP however you may have to wait for months for assessment and treatment. You may be denied treatment if there is considered to be no medical need. Even if you have an infection from say a painful ingrowing toenail and have been given antibiotics by your GP you may still have to wait months to be seen. If you are housebound you should get home care.
You will however be fast tracked if you develop a foot ulcer and have diabetes. According to the NICE (National Institute for Clinical Excellence) Footcare Guidelines this means you will be seen by the multidisciplinary foot care team within 24 hours.
Other people with diabetes will be checked to see if their feet are classified as high risk, at increased risk or low current risk. Those considered to be at high risk of foot ulceration will normally get free NHS skin and nail care. If you are at increased risk or low risk you will not routinely have free NHS skin and nail care but this does depend on your PCT, however your feet will be regularly inspected.
Private treatment
If free NHS chiropody or podiatry treatment is not available in your area or if you think it is taking too long to get an appointment, you may choose to pay for private treatment.
If you need further chiropody care following your free chiropody treatment and can't afford private treatment you will need to see your GP.
NOTE: If you do decide to contact a private chiropodist or podiatrist yourself please make sure they are Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Some people offering "foot care" are not Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (this is the only official register) and therefore are not allowed to call themselves chiropodists or podiatrists.
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Contact Sue Ferguson
Podiatrist
Book an appointment now to help your foot pain (please note I am not accepting new patients)
Tel: 01580 765546
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