Drop in podiatry waiting times after trial

Michael Russell de Clifford (L) said the service, run by Anthony Joyce (R), "transformed" his life after dealing with feet pain for years

There has been a "massive" drop in waiting times following a trial to improve podiatry care within the community, the NHS has said.

Somerset NHS Foundation Trust said 94% of patients were now seen within six weeks at Yeovil.

During the trial, which started 10 months ago, podiatric surgeons have been identifying those who could benefit from surgery at a much earlier point, within the community, rather than referring to an acute hospital.

Anthony Joyce, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust's podiatry clinical director, said: "Many of the patients were having to wait one to two years for their first appointment - and we've slashed that and it's helping our patients."

Mr Joyce said the Covid-19 pandemic meant they had been "playing catch up", but that the trial was "really exceeding our expectations".

"We have been able to identify patients with foot deformities, who either have a history of foot ulcers or are at a high risk of developing them," he added.

"Instead of prolonging these appointments, by performing the surgery, we're getting rid of the underlying cause of the foot ulcers, and it also means the patients need care much less frequently.

"It's also done at a fraction of the cost, as the surgery is carried out at a community hospital, rather than an acute hospital like Musgrove Park or Yeovil."

Some appointments take place in Yeovil at the Bartec Centre

Before the trial started, most patients were having to come in every two to three weeks, pre surgery, for prevention treatment.

Michael Russell de Clifford is one of the patients to make use of the new trial.

"I kept getting awful pain on my feet and toes especially when it was hot weather," he said.

"It was ongoing for a year and the bruising and constant pain in the joints were affecting my daily life."

He said he "jumped at the opportunity" when it was suggested he could have it operated on as part of the trial, "and within two weeks of having the operation, the pain had completely gone".

The Somerset NHS Foundation said a third of patients are now discharged from the service as the risk of them developing an ulcer has gone.