Podiatry: Clinics

The Podiatry department operates out of the following locations:

Western Isles Hospital
Macaulay Road
Stornoway
Isle of Lewis
HS1 2AF

Ospadal Uibhist agus Bharraigh
Balivanich
Isle of Benbecula
HS7 5LA

St Brendan's Hospital
2 Rathad Na Horgh
Isle of Barra
HS9 5XE

NHS Western Isles Podiatry services include the following clinics below.

Note. It may be possible for patients who are physically unable to attend clinic (eg. bedbound or require hoisting) to be seen at home. Please be aware that our clinical capacity permits only essential home visits and due to the distances covered by NHS Western Isles Podiatry, those eligible for a home visit may have delayed access to the service in comparison to attending a clinic.

If you require Podiatry services or advice, please select the ‘Contact' link opposite.

Woundcare

Patients with underlying medical conditions, for example diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral arterial disease and peripheral nerve damage may be at higher risk of foot problems such as foot wounds (ulcers). Foot ulcers put feet at increased risk of further injury, amputation and disability.

Woundcare is an integral part of the Podiatry service; if you have a foot wound, the Podiatrist will assess your wound and plan your treatment. This may additionally involve other health professionals or onward referral eg GP, Diabetes Nurses, Community Nurses, Orthotist, Vascular services.

Click here for further information for patients with diabetes

Diabetes foot screening

This section is intended for use by members of the public. Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) should consult the shared clinical guidelines on the intranet.

People with diabetes may be at risk of developing foot problems such as ulceration. Therefore it is beneficial to be screened by a HCP to detect the presence of neuropathy (loss of feeling), peripheral arterial disease (poor circulation), possible foot deformity and severe callus.

Why is screening my feet important?

It enables the Podiatry service / HCPs to:

  • Assess patients as being at low, moderate or high risk of foot problems as well as identifying and monitoring any changes over time
  • Offer all people with diabetes relevant patient advice about appropriate management of foot care and/or foot problems
  • Dictate whether further appointments with Podiatrists are necessary or whether you can self-care and be discharged back to your GP for future screenings

 

When will my foot be screened?

The frequency of your screening is dictated by your risk category

 

Who will screen my foot?

A suitably trained healthcare professional at your GP practice usually screens your feet in the first instance but may also refer you to Podiatry. If you are found to be at moderate or high risk of foot problems, a Podiatrist would carry out future screenings

 

What will happen at the screening?

Using a validated diabetes foot screening process, we will:

  • Visually inspect your feet for signs of foot deformity, callus or other issues
  • Ask about your history of foot, or circulatory problems
  • Ask lifestyle questions eg diet, exercise, smoking which may impact upon your health
  • Palpate foot pulses and check them with a Doppler which can help assess circulatory issues
  • Test the nerves in your feet – this is painless and allows us to determine whether you have lost any feeling in your feet

 

Click here for further information for patients with diabetes

Nail Surgery

Nail surgery is used to remove all, or part of the nail where self-care or conservative treatment has not resolved the problem. Normally, this is where the nail has ingrown (pierced the skin) – possibly with additional infection – or is very painful (involuted or thickened nails).

It is a relatively simple procedure regularly carried out by Podiatrists and approximately 95% of cases are fully resolved in the long-term. Not everyone is suitable for nail surgery so assessment will be carried out prior to procedure. Healing times can vary but normally take several weeks and you will need to redress the wound regularly until it has healed.

If you have any questions regarding any aspect of the surgery, aftercare or limiting activities, please speak with the Podiatrist either at the time or contact us via the ‘Contact' link opposite.

Musculoskeletal (MSK) Clinics

Most musculoskeletal (MSK) foot and ankle pain – that is, pain which usually occurs during activity – can be self-managed without the need to see Podiatry.

Some self-care information can be found in Common Foot Problems. If you have followed this advice but the problem has not resolved within a few weeks, you can self-refer to Podiatry.

Many foot and ankle problems that we see can be successfully self-managed following advice from the Podiatrist who will:

  • work with you to make a joint treatment plan which will enable you to understand and manage your foot or ankle condition and improve your quality of life
  • offer footwear advice which is integral to all treatment plans; exercises for rehabilitation may also be advised
  • if necessary, offer supplementary treatments such as acupuncture, shockwave therapy (SWT) or steroid injection.
  • onward refer to another HCP where relevant (eg Physiotherapy, Dietician, Orthotist) or, occasionally, to a medical Consultant (eg Orthopaedics).
General clinics

General clinics cover new and existing patients who have encountered other foot problems which they cannot manage themselves. Such problems may include:

  • painful corn or callus
  • grossly neglected, thickened or painful nails
  • day-to-day foot pain which is annoying but not disabling
  • any other foot problem which you have not been able to resolve or which you are very concerned about.

 

What will happen at this appointment?

The Podiatrist will:

  • take a full history including general medical and lifestyle questions
  • assess, with a view to diagnosing, the presenting problem
  • provide treatment if necessary eg removing the corn / callus or cutting back problem toenails
  • offer self-care advice about looking after your feet
  • establish whether a follow-up treatment is necessary
  • refer on, if necessary.

 

What should I bring to this appointment?

Please ensure that you bring with you:

  • details of all medication and any known allergies
  • your day-to-day footwear (even if this means slippers) so that we can check both suitability and fit
  • a carer or family member if required.