Podiatry Services Bedford: a sign of a worrying trend?
The Bedford Green Party has become aware via social media and personal experience that patients are struggling to access vital podiatry services and are being forced to pay for private treatment or go without. Podiatry services are particularly important for diabetes patients with the following being a result of poor care:
- Damage to the foot
- Foot ulcers
- Foot infections
- Charcot’s joints
- Amputation
Find out more here https://www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-podiatry.html
In addition, there is solid evidence that good foot care prevents falls. So it is a false economy to cut podiatry, an increase in falls will increase emergency hospital admissions causing distress for elderly people and additional strain on vital services.
Over the next couple of weeks, we will gather more information to present to the clinical commissioning group to address the deficit in care.
While this may not seem like a big issue and probably doesn’t affect you, it is a worrying sign that essential services are being eroded and we need to nip it in the bud. If you have experienced problems accessing this or any service over the last few months, you can email hands.bedford@gmail.com
Bedford Green Party Health Team
PS Even if you're not a member of the Green Party, complete the volunteer form if you want to join the health team
