What people have told us about foot care in Oxfordshire

In May 2023, Healthwatch Oxfordshire conducted a brief survey to find out more about local people’s experiences of accessing treatment for their foot care needs. This was in response to their hearing ‘out and about’ from people that some were struggling to find the foot care they needed.

This report summarises the results of 75 completed questionnaires. Whilst their findings do not necessarily represent the views of people from all backgrounds and communities, they do give an insight into some of the issues faced, particularly among the elderly. Most participants were White British and aged over 65 years.

They reported a variety of foot care conditions including toenail problems, bunions and hammertoes, as well as underlying health conditions such as Diabetes and Arthritis. Treatment was usually provided by NHS services (38%) and the private sector (45%). Only one person had treatment from a voluntary organisation. Notably, 12 people (16%) said they did not receive any professional foot care.

Overall, most eligible people appeared to receive treatment from an NHS podiatry service. However, some seemed unsure about access – 13 people (18%) had not asked their health care provider about referral to an NHS foot care service and 13 people (18%) said they did not know that they could ask. This suggests that people might have an awareness of eligibility for NHS treatment or that they are unfamiliar with foot care pathways.

 Sixty-four people who received a service told Healthwatch how satisfied they were with it. Thirty-four people (53%) said they were happy with the service they received and 30 (47%) were not. Of 27 people who used an NHS service, 10 (37%) said they were satisfied and 24 (63%) were not. Of 33 people who used a private service, 24 (73%) said they were satisfied and 9 (27%) were not. However, most people were positive about the quality of their NHS podiatry care and staff, recognising the current demand for services and staff shortages.

Challenges people faced in getting foot care included being unable to get an NHS appointment, irregular or long waits between them, and poor follow-up. This may be due to staffing and system pressures and it was evident that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on access. Other challenges noted included not knowing where to look for a foot care service, having NHS treatment withdrawn, changes to eligibility, and private appointments being too expensive for some to afford, leaving them with challenges in caring for their feet.

The availability, cost and quality of foot care services impacts people’s access to treatment and quality of life. People who cannot access appropriate, affordable foot care often experience worsening of foot problems or health condition, persistent or increased pain, and reduced independence, mobility and walking. Ability to prevent worsening foot problems as they arise, can have an impact on NHS and social care resources in the long term - through impact of reduced mobility and other related health issues. With an increasingly aging population, access to foot care is a pressing issue, with real impact on ability to maintain independence. It is important that people with a range of foot care needs can have access to a well-resourced and comprehensive podiatry service, and that pathways are clearly communicated.