Putting best feet forward
HOW'S your feet?
Are they in great shape or suffering from life's rigours.
A podiatry team are there to help when the going gets tough.
CHRIS CORDNER reports.
IF your feet need a helping hand, you're not on your own.
There's 25,000 of us in Hartlepool, North Tees and east Durham who are registered with the podiatry team.
And don't think it's just about clipping nails. This is a service which helps with foot ailments of all sorts - even when they are associated with strokes.
The podiatry service is now part of the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust and Nicola Milburn is the principal podiatrist.
It's a job which gives her huge satisfaction.
"Patients say they are so much better after they have been treated.
"It is really satisfying because we can see the difference that we have made."
The podiatry team has 53 staff including the clinical podiatrist's management team.
It's an impressive set-up which is one of only three in the country to have Charter Mark status, which recognises the level of quality care provided.
There's six areas in which the team helps:
l Perhaps the most recognisable to the public is the nail cutting and reducing hard skin;
l The specialist biometrics service which helps people with foot pains. The help can include pains associated with how the foot functions;
l The high-risk foot team works with consultants and helps people who have problems such as ulcers and infections through problems such as diabetes or blood supply difficulties;
l The rheumatology team works in partnership with a consultant and an osteoarthritis specialist;
l Nail surgery helps people with in growing toenails and other problems needing surgery;
l The podiatry team also works with the stroke team in Hartlepool and east Durham. It looks at the gait of patients and encourages rehabilitation in conjunction with other experts.
Nicola added: "We have 25,000 patients registered and we operate an open access system across Hartlepool and east Durham. Anyone can apply for treatment. On receipt of referral, they are referred to the most appropriate aspect of the service."
Patients can be received after referral by themselves, a GP, consultant or other professional.
Anyone wanting to find out more can contact the podiatry department at the Victoria Road health centre in Hartlepool on (01429) 285060.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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