Thank you for your patience and understanding during these unprecedented times. The podiatry service is starting its recovery plan for existing patients and re-instating face to face appointments. To operate services safely and with appropriate safe social distancing face-to-face appointments will be for patients who need to be seen. Video and telephone appointments will continue for other patients as appropriate.

Face to face appointments will be offered to the following caseloads following telephone assessment:

• Acute foot problems such as ulceration and infection or at risk of hospital admission
• Infected Ingrowing toenails requiring surgical assessment and intervention
• Foot protection for high risk patients that may develop ulceration and infection without face to face podiatry treatment and management
• MSK patients awaiting urgent issue of insoles/orthotics

This service is for people with medium and high risk podiatry needs. People with low risk problems will be signposted to self-care and providers who are able to support low risk podiatry needs.

You or your family may be advised by a podiatrist to continue to:

• Carry out care such as dressings and monitoring
• To seek support from pharmacies, or private providers
• Carry out basic nail and foot care

If you feel you have a high risk foot problem such as ulceration, tissue breakdown, infection, a risk of hospital admission due to your foot problem, or feel you have developed a problem that would put you at high risk, please call your usual clinic number for advice. Clinic numbers are listed below.

If you have symptoms of a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste, please do not attend your clinic appointment and ring your usual clinic number to cancel.

Please be vigilant and contact NHS 111 either by phone on 111 or checking for advice online on 111.nhs.uk if you have been in contact with someone who has been confirmed to be infected with Coronavirus.