Podiatry services 2023

This is a report by Healthwatch Sunderland. The project looks at planned changes to podiatry services.

The report highlights patient feedback about proposed changes to NHS podiatry services across Sunderland. Healthwatch Sunderland collected this feedback in support of the podiatry services review, which is being undertaken by North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care Board (NENC ICB), who commission NHS podiatry services.

Over the past few years there have been some challenges within podiatry which means there needs to be some change. To support this, a review of services has started and a new way of delivering podiatry services has been proposed. To ensure patients have a chance to give their views on the proposed model and voice any concerns, Healthwatch has been commissioned to conduct a piece of work.

Methods used in the engagement with patients included a mix of face-to-face engagement with patients in community-based clinics and paper based or electronic surveys. Engagement ran for a 4-week period, during September 2023. A total of 67 people took part.

Patients gave mixed feelings towards the proposed changes. Some in agreement and some having concerns and questions. 

Some of the areas patients were in agreement with were:

• Moving to one provider to potentially allow for greater control and 

cost efficiencies.

• A self-referral system to potentially reduce waiting lists.

Some of the key concerns and questions related to:

• Impact on travel and transport to clinics.

• Self-care and how this may lead to people harming themselves.

• Decision making around who remains in podiatry services and who 

self-cares.

• Potential increases in wait times

There are no recommendations in this report.

There are no follow up actions in this report.