Podiatrists

Podiatrists are the experts in all aspects of foot and lower limb function and health. They are highly skilled health care professionals trained to diagnose, treat, rehabilitate and prevent disease and abnormalities of the feet, ankles and lower limbs. They can prevent and manage foot pain, foot infection and support foot irregularities, to keep people of all ages mobile and active.

Podiatrists are ideally placed to use their expertise in primary care settings by developing and embedding services that extend the ability of GPs and primary care teams to provide a focus on prevention and early intervention.

Placing podiatrists at the centre of primary care settings will:

• Minimise the impact and consequence of long term conditions
• Prevent and delay onset of deterioration of chronic conditions
• Maintain and maximise mobility
• Reduce the potential of falling
• Enable independence leading to improved quality of life and reduced social exclusion
• Reduce the need for secondary, surgical or pharmacological intervention
• Reduce hospital admissions and unnecessary hospital referrals
• Support patients living with long term conditions
• Keep people mobile and in work
• Reduce the burden on GPs and primary care teams
  A fully integrated primary care podiatry service can safely diagnose, manage, rehabilitate and prevent disease related complications of the feet, ankles and lower limbs, particularly around MSK, diabetes, rheumatoid conditions and peripheral arterial disease. They also have a significant role in the public health and prevention agenda specifically around falls prevention, cardio- vascular risk reduction, medicines management and reconciliation, antibiotic stewardship and keeping people mobile and active.
  Podiatrists have the ability to utilise advanced diagnostic techniques including imaging and can prescribe independently, for a range of lower limb conditions saving GP time and resource.
  As the experts in lower limb health and disease, Podiatrists have the requisite knowledge, skills and training to work as first point of contact practitioners in primary care.
  Read more about podiatry:
  College of Podiatry’s position statement on primary care
  Aneurin Bevan University Health Board Podiatry
  Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board Podiatry  
  Cardiff & Vale University Health Board Podiatry
  Cwm Taf University Health Board  - Podiatry
  Hywel Dda University Board Podiatry
  Powys Teaching Health Board Podiatry
  Swansea Bay University Health Board Podiatry