Chiropody

The NHS Chiropody Service locally is called the Podiatry Service and is run by Eden Valley Primary Care Trust. Their State Registered Chiropodists now use the title Podiatrist, which is the internationally recognised name for clinicians who specialise in foot health. They are assisted by Footcare Assistants.

There are low cost nail cutting services available through Voluntary Services or private services - see below.

The NHS Podiatry (Chiropody) Service

• No longer provides a simple nail cutting service.

• Holds health education sessions for people who need advice on basic footcare and nail cutting for themselves or relatives.

• Deals with a variety of foot problems in all age groups, from corns and ingrowing toenails to nail surgery, diabetes care and the provision of specialised foot aids.

• Has Clinics at Wigton, Carlisle and Penrith and can provide transport if a patient has no other way of travelling to the Clinic.

• Can do home visits if a patient is completely housebound due to ill health or severe disability.

To see a NHS Podiatrist you need to first see your GP, Health Visitor, District or Practice Nurse. Once they have agreed that a referral is the right move they will give you a form to fill in with your personal and medical details. You can fill the form in yourself, sign it and send it to the address given. You will then receive an appointment at whichever Clinic you have chosen. A Podiatrist will assess your problem and give you a course of treatment.

Voluntary Services

• Age Concern West Cumbria provide a Nail Cutting Clinic in Wigton. Telephone 01900 819295 for an appointment. Cost £8.

• The Northern Fells Lend a Hand Group provides voluntary home visits to cut nails for people who are ill or disabled in the Northern Fells seven parishes - Boltons, Caldbeck, Castle Sowerby, Ireby/Uldale, Mungrisdale, Sebergham/Welton, Westward/Rosley. Telephone Doreen Gleed on 016973 71947.

Private Nail Cutting Services

• 'Happy Feet' - Hazel Chew (01931 716587) and Jan Grimshaw (017683 41840) are both Nurses who have retrained as Foot Health Practitioners. They offer home visits for cutting nails and treating simple corns and calluses, including a foot treatment, for £16.

• For other private services please look up 'Chiropody' in the yellow pages of your phone directory. Find your nearest service and ring them to enquire about prices. It may well be worth ringing a few to compare prices and waiting lists.