The podiatry service provides foot care across Gateshead. Podiatrists train for at least 3 years to specialise in foot, ankle and leg conditions, focusing on prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions. Their main aim is to improve the mobility, independence and quality of life for their patients.
Advanced podiatry assistants provide nail care, minor callus reduction, wound care and diabetes foot screening under the delegation and supervision of a podiatrist.
About This Service
The service provides podiatry and a variety of specialist services across Gateshead. These include:
- A diabetic foot clinic, where podiatrists work alongside consultants and the diabetes team to provide rapid assessment and treatment for patients experiencing diabetic foot ulceration, with the aim of healing ulceration, promoting better awareness of the diabetic risk factors and improving the prevention of further foot complications.
- Nail surgery clinics, which involve the full or partial removal of toenails for patients with recurrent toenail problems. This is carried out under local anaesthetic.
- A biomechanics service which provides gait analysis and the provision of insoles, pressure-relieving devices, and dynamic devices to realign the foot and improve gait and associated foot problems and pain.
- Wound care.
Who Do We See?
The service provides foot care to patients who have a clinical / health issue along with a podiatric need who have been referred by a GP or healthcare professional. The service does not undertake ‘social’ foot care i.e. this is not a nail cutting service.
How To Be Seen By This Service
All referrals into this service must be made by a health professional.
What To Expect at Your Appointment
Being referred to the service does not guarantee an appointment. In some cases, patients will be signposted to more appropriate services, or provided with advice in order that they can self care.
Accepted referrals will receive an assessment appointment. Assessment may include one or more of the following depending on need identified:
- a clinic or hospital appointment
- a home visit if you are housebound (bed bound or on oxygen)
Our clinics are held at:
- Bensham Hospital, Saltwell Road, Gateshead, NE8 4YL
- Blaydon Primary Care Centre, Shibdon Road, Blaydon On Tyne, NE21 5NW
- Dunston Health Centre, Dunston Bank, Dunston, NE11 9PY
- Felling Health Centre, Stephenson Terrace, Felling, NE10 9QG
- Gateshead Health Centre, Prince Consort Road, Gateshead, NE8 1NB
- Low Fell Clinic, Beacon Lough Rd, Low Fell, Gateshead, NE9 6TD
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Ave, Gateshead, NE9 6SX
- Ryton Clinic, Grange Road, Ryton, NE40 3LT
- Wrekenton Health Centre, Springwell Road, Wrekenton, NE9 7AD
What you can expect from us:
Professional, evidence based assessment and treatment. Advice and guidance will be provided to improve or maintain your foot health, and where appropriate patients are empowered to self care. Patients who are not compliant with the advice provided may be discharged from the service.
What we expect from you:
In order to get the maximum benefit and the best possible outcomes, it is essential that the treatment programme and advice provided are followed.
Waiting Well
Sometimes you may have to wait longer to be seen by our service than we would like. Where possible, we may direct you to resources and interventions which you can try at home before your appointment. In some cases, this advice can help to maintain your well being, reduce symptoms or provide ideas on things you can safely try yourself to overcome your problems.
Current Expected Waiting Times
We strive to see everyone who is referred to us in a timely manner. We prioritise our appointments based on clinical need and risk, so some people will wait longer than others.
Waiting times for this service are updated here on a regular basis.
Currently you can expect to wait 40 weeks for an initial appointment.
[updated 13/12/2024]
Our Team
- Podiatrists who specialise in Wound Care, Diabetes and Biomechanics
- General Podiatrists
- Advanced Podiatry Assistants
What People Say About This Service
“I always feel like I’m walking on air when I leave the clinic”
Cancelling An Appointment
- If you need to cancel or rearrange an appointment, please call the service as soon as possible on 0191 445 8401 between 8:30am and 4:00pm.
- Please note, cancelling two children’s appointments in a row can lead to the service following the ‘was not brought’ procedure outlined below. This procedure also applies to and includes cancelled home visits.
- Cancelling unwanted appointments means we may be able to offer an appointment to someone else who is waiting.
- Please note – patients who fail to cancel their appointment in a timely way, or do not attend, may be discharged from the service.
Child ‘was not brought’ to their health appointment
- Children often do not have a choice about whether they are brought to health care appointments; the decisions are usually made by those caring for them. There is evidence to suggest that failure to attend health appointments can be linked to child neglect in some cases. This service therefore follows the Gateshead NHS Foundation Trust’s Safeguarding Children Policy, which includes a reporting pathway to our Safeguarding Children Team when a child is ‘not brought‘ to an appointment, and in some cases when appointments are cancelled. Sometimes when a child is not brought, we may also escalate our concerns to Children’s Social Care.
Contact Us
Our clinics are open 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday to Friday excluding Bank Holidays
Service Opening Times:
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Useful Websites
- Diabetes Uk
- Health & Professional Council
- Royal College of Podiatry
- NHS UK
- Find a Podiatrist (rcpod.org.uk)
- Rheumatoid Arthritis NHS
Patient Experience
We are committed to improving patient and carer experiences and would welcome your feedback on your experience’s with Podiatry Services. Please complete our short questionnaire to help improve our service.
About Your Medical Records
This service shares information with GP’s and other health care professionals to ensure that you receive appropriate care. If you do not wish to have your clinical information shared then please inform the clinician at your appointment. Gateshead Health NHS Foundation Trust is a part of the Great North Care Record. This means we make information we record about you available electronically on the Great North Care Record. Health and care staff from other organisations in the North East and North Cumbria who are involved in your care can then access this information. It helps us make your care better and safer. If you want to find out more about the Great North Care Record, or have any concerns; visit the website www.greatnorthcarerecord.org.uk, email [email protected] or call the helpline on 0344 811 9587 (open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm).