Putting you FIRST is at the heart of everything we do. New podiatry service delivers quality foot care to the heart of Lincolnshire

Transcription

1 Putting you FIRST is at the heart of everything we do New podiatry service delivers quality foot care to the heart of Lincolnshire 1

2 2

3 Introduction For the past few years patients have had a choice about where they go to hospital. If a GP refers their patient to hospital, the patient can choose where to go anywhere in the country. They might choose to have their care where there is a national expert in their condition, shorter waiting times, or that is close to their relatives. In 2010 the Government made a commitment to extend this sort of choice to some health services which are provided outside hospital. In practice this would mean that when a patient is referred for a particular service (usually by their GP) they should be able to choose from a list of qualified providers that meet NHS quality requirements. In Lincolnshire one of the services which now offers more choice about who delivers care is podiatry and Lincolnshire Community health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) is committed to becoming the first choice provider of NHS podiatry services. What is? is the diagnosis and treatment, by podiatrists, of diseases and other disorders of the feet. Podiatrists are highly skilled health professionals who have been trained to prevent, diagnose, treat and rehabilitate abnormal conditions of the feet and lower limbs. They also prevent and correct deformity, keep people mobile and active, relieve pain and treat infections. Why consult a Podiatrist? Podiatrists are highly trained professionals registered by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) that have trained solely in the area of the foot and lower limb for several years. In order to become an HCPC registered practitioner a podiatrist will have undertaken and passed a full time degree in podiatry at one of thirteen schools of podiatry within the UK or will have met stringent entrance criteria set by the HCPC. Since July 2005, only those podiatrists who have satisfied the criteria for registration with the HCPC can call themselves a podiatrist. To use this title when not on the register is an offence. All LCHS podiatrists are registered members of the HCPC. 3

4 Who is eligible for NHS podiatry treatment? All patients who are referred by their GP for NHS podiatry, will be assessed against their medical and podiatric needs. This means that every patient will be assessed against medical risk: high medical risk e.g. diabetes, neurological disorder or chemotherapy low medical risk e.g. visual problems or mental disability no medical risk e.g. no relevant medical problems and against podiatric need: acute conditions (high need) e.g. ulcerations or infections painful conditions (medium need) e.g. painful warts, corns or foot deformities non-painful conditions (low need) e.g. skin care advice, non-painful verrucas Following assessment, some patients may not be eligible for treatment and as such will be discharged from the service. If this is the case, appropriate information and advice will be given. How the NHS appointment system works Until recently, it was possible for patients to refer themselves to NHS podiatry services. Under the new arrangement of choosing podiatry services, patients will need to discuss their foot problems with their GP. If the GP thinks that their patient needs to see a podiatrist they will have a choice of qualified providers to choose from and this includes LCHS. Once referred by their GP, patients can use Choose and Book to view the list of providers and make an informed choice, they either access the Choose and Book website at the surgery (with the help of a Choose and Book clerk) or at home on their own computer. At LCHS Services, we will assess a request an appointment referral against certain treatment criteria. If the referral is not accepted both patient and GP will be informed, or the patient may be referred to an alternative, more appropriate service. 4

5 If the referral is accepted we will contact the patient to arrange an initial assessment, which must be within four weeks of the referral, although urgent cases are seen more quickly than this. We will do all we can to make the appointment as convenient as possible for the patient, especially if they rely on family or friends for transport. What the service includes Podiatrists are trained in all aspects of care of the feet and lower limbs. This can include common foot ailments as well as some of the serious complications that arise from some medical conditions e.g. diabetes. Common problems treated by our service includes: Clinical problems with toenails (eg. ingrowing nails) Skin conditions including corns Heel and forefoot pain Neurological conditions Structural and functional problems causing pain e.g. bunions and arthritis Soft tissue problems such as tendon sprains Podiatrists may also address a number of other problems that can particularly affect the feet Care for people with low risk diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis Wound management Falls prevention Foot Health Education What is the likely outcome of treatment? Before podiatry treatment starts, the aims of the treatment plan will be explained to the patient and further written information will be offered if the podiatrist feels it will help. For many conditions, it is likely that the patient will be asked to carry out some simple tasks to improve the problem and this will also be clearly explained to you. 5

6 All podiatry treatments aim to deliver some key outcomes: improved mobility and independence for patients reduced foot pain improved foot health a good patient experience. When necessary, patients will be offered a further appointment to review their progress. The podiatrist will assess this against an individual s treatment plan, carry out additional treatment and offer further advice if required. Upon completion of treatment the patient will be asked to complete a feedback form so that we can review how effective our service is and ensure we are meeting our patient s expectations. Patients will also be asked to judge how effective their treatment has been in improving their symptoms. Specialist If a patient s symptoms are better suited to be treated elsewhere within the department, they may be referred to a Specialist Podiatrist. Having obtained their initial qualification, Specialist Podiatrists have undertaken further training for particular areas of practice. This includes complex biomechanical problems and more severe foot complications of underlying diseases like diabetes. Some podiatrists continue further studies to practice surgery to correct underlying foot deformities including hallux valgus. If treatment requires particular attention from a Specialist Podiatrist, this will be agreed with the referring GP and a further appointment made. Where is LCHS available? There are 22 locations throughout Lincolnshire where patients can access our podiatry service. There are seven in the North West area of Lincolnshire, five in the South West of Lincolnshire, five in the North East area of Lincolnshire and three in the South East of Lincolnshire. Please refer to the table overleaf. 6

7 Locations Sessions Available Waiting times North West Business Unit Birchwood Health Centre Jasmin Road Birchwood Lincoln LN6 0QQ am-4.30pm South of Lincoln, nearby villages include North Hykeham and Bracebridge Boultham Park Medical Practice Boultham Park Road Lincoln LN6 7SS am-5.00pm Central to Gainsborough and offering services to nearby populations of Kirton in Lindsey, Hemswell Hickman St Hickman Street Gainsborough Lincs DN21 2DZ am-4.30pm Central to Lincoln with nearby Lincoln University Newland Health Centre Clinic 1 34 Newland Newland Lincoln LN1 1XP , Nail Surgery 3 Clinic Rooms 8.00am-6.30pm 7

8 Locations Sessions Available Waiting times East of Lincoln with nearby villages of Washingborough and Wragby. Nettleham is on the A158 road (Lincoln to Skegness) Nettleham Medical Practice Lodge Lane Nettleham LN2 2RS am-1.00pm South west of Lincoln, with nearby villages of Waddington, Thorpe on the Hill, Whisby and Aubourn North Hykeham Health Centre Moor Lane North Hykeham Lincoln LN6 9BA am-4.30pm North west of Lincoln, surrounding villages include Skellingthorpe, Scampton and Newton on Trent Saxilby Health Centre Sykes Lane Saxilby Lincoln LN1 2NU am-3.30pm South West Business Unit Central to Bourne, peripheral villages and towns include Market Deeping and Stamford. On the main road A15 from Lincoln to Peterborough Bourne Health Centre St Gilberts Rd. Bourne Lincs PE10 9XA , Nail surgery 2 to 3 clinics 9.00am-4.00pm 8

9 Locations Sessions Available Waiting times West of Lincolnshire, bordering Nottinghamshire, surrounding villages include Colsterworth, Barrowby, Great Gonerby and Caythorpe. Just off the A1 road. Grantham Health Centre St Catherines Road Grantham Lincs. NG31 6PP Clinic rooms 9.00am-4.00pm Sleaford is central to Lincolnshire, surrounding villages include Heckington, Ruskington. On the main road A15 from Lincoln to Peterborough Riversdale Clinic 21, Westgate Sleaford Lincs NG34 7PJ am-4.00pm On the border with Cambridgeshire and near to the A1 road. Surrounding villages/ towns include Market Deeping, Bourne, and Ryhall Stamford Clinic Ryhall Road Stamford Lincs PE9 1TU am-4.00pm 9

10 Locations Sessions Available Waiting times On the border with Cambridgeshire and on the main A15 road. Nearby villages/town include Deeping St James and Crowland Market Deeping Health Centre Godsey Lane Market Deeping Peterborough PE6 8DD am 4.00pm North East Business Unit North Lincolnshire and on the border with North Lincolnshire healthcare providers. On the main A46 road. Caistor Health Clinic Dale View Caistor Market Rasen, LN7 6NX am-3.00pm East Lincolnshire, on the A16 road and surrounding villages include Hagworthingham, Toynton All Saints and the town of Skegness Grace Swan Health Clinic Main Road Hundleby Spilsby PE23 5LS , Nail Surgery 9.00am -4.00pm Horncastle is in central Lincolnshire. Peripheral villages include Woodhall Spa and Coningsby Horncastle Health Centre Manor House Street Horncastle LN9 5HF

11 Locations Sessions Available Waiting times North east Lincolnshire, surrounding towns and village include Mablethorpe, North Thoresby Primary Care Arch, Louth County Hospital High Holme Road Louth LN11 0EU ext am-4.30pm On the east coast and a holiday destination. Nearby villages and towns include Sutton on Sea, Theddlethorpe and Alford Marisco Medical Practice Stanley Avenue Mablethorpe LN12 1DP Clinic rooms 8.30am -4.30pm North east of Lincoln, just off the A46 road. Nearby villages include Tealby, Middle Rasen, and Bishopbridge. Market Rasen Surgery Mill Road Market Rasen LN8 3BP am- 4.30pm On the east coast and a holiday destination. Nearby towns and villages include Chapel St. Leonards, Ingoldmells and Burgh Le Marsh Skegness Health Clinic Cecil Avenue Skegness PE25 2BX clinic rooms 9.00am-4.30pm 11

12 Locations Sessions Available Waiting times South East Business Unit In the South East quadrant, the surrounding villages/ town includes Pinchbeck, Market Deeping, and Moulton. Johnson Community Hospital, Spalding Road Pinchbeck Spalding PE11 3DT , Nail surgery 2 Clinic rooms 9am 4.00pm On the A52 road is large town. Surrounding villages include Frampton, Sibsey and Frampton Boston Health Clinic Lincoln Lane Boston, PE21 8RU Clinic Rooms 9am 4.00pm Just off the A17 road, surrounding villages include Sutton Bridge and Long Sutton which borders the county of Norfolk. Holbeach Health Clinic Park Road Holbeach PE12 7EE am 4.00pm 12

13 Clinics are based in local communities where the majority of the population visits to carry out daily or weekly activities. The market towns have public transport links; most using buses, with the larger towns and the city of Lincoln having a rail network. Travelling to the clinic? Patients who are unable to travel independently have a range of voluntary transport services or patient transport services they are able to use to attend clinics. Transport information is displayed at each health clinic/centre where further information is available on request. Lincolnshire County Council has an electronic monthly newsletter which provides up to date information on the latest travel and transport news in Lincolnshire. Bus Travel - information for the public to get around Lincolnshire by bus is available on and includes information on routes and timescales. Rail information including times and fares is available via co.uk. Dial-A-Ride is a door to door accessible minibus service for disabled people and the over 60's who cannot use public transport. Interconnect-and-CallConnect offer a network of connecting local bus services to destinations throughout Lincolnshire. What to take to an appointment? Under the new Choose and Book System, a referral form will need to be completed and this will be sent to our appointments team by the referring GP. Details of the patient s condition will be made clear in this referral along with any relevant medical history. It will be helpful to the Podiatrist if the nature of the condition is clearly described, including how long the condition has been present, what makes it worse and what previous treatments have been tried. The impact that the condition is having on the patient s lifestyle will also help the podiatrist to decide on the most suitable treatment. 13

14 Language services The LCHS Service is committed to ensuring that patients accessing their treatment receive information in a way that is appropriate to their needs and seek to use technology to improve the patient experience. LCHS works with Pearl Linguistics to offer translation services including, telephone interpreting, face to face interpreting, sign language and written translations (including Braille and easy read). Pearl Linguistics delivers translation and interpreting services in over 200 languages. How to complain If the LCHS service fails to deliver satisfactory care we want to hear about it. Complaints about the service should be directed to the local health clinic. Each health clinic has a formal complaints procedure and responds to complaints in line with NHS policy. If the clinic does not respond to a complaint contact our Complaints and Claims Manager on or complaints2@lpct.nhs.uk Outcomes delivered Information regarding outcomes of the podiatry service will be reported and updated regularly. This will include: Clinical improvement scores Pain reduction scores Independent reviews of services Patient satisfaction survey results Where to find out more Health & Care Professions Council Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists Care of the feet in diabetes Lincolnshire PALS info@lincspals.nhs.uk 14

15 15

16 Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust Bridge House Unit 16 Sleaford NG34 8GG Tel: Website: 16