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Podiatry Self-Referral: Step 2

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Back to self-referral step 1

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS BEFORE YOU DO ANYTHING ELSE

 

Urgent Foot Health Problems

 

Please consider these important questions BEFORE you complete a self-referral. There is information about what to do if you answer yes to any of the questions.

Question 1

Do you think you may have an infection in your foot or leg and are feeling VERY unwell?

If NO, please continue to question 2 below

If YES, please read this information and follow the advice we have given:

Read more

If you think you have an infection in your foot or leg and you have started to feel very unwell (or more so than any symptoms of unwellness you normally have due to health problems), there is a chance you may have Sepsis.

Please follow these two steps if you think this fits your situation at the moment:

 

Step One

This may need urgent medical attention. Please use the link below to the NHS website to help you decide if you need urgent medical attention. The website will tell you what you should do depending on your symptoms: click here

You can also contact NHS111 by telephone by dialling 111.

 

Step Two

Self-refer to Podiatry Services only if you have checked the information about sepsis linked above and think it does not apply to you, OR you have spoken to or seen a health professional about it.

Question 2

Do you have any of these symptoms in questions A, B or C below?

If you think you DO NOT HAVE any of the symptoms or problems described below, please use the link at the bottom of this page to continue making your referral.

If you think you DO HAVE any of the following, please make a self-referral to Podiatry Services now and follow the other steps below whilst we process your self-referral. Please do not wait before seeking the help we advise you get.

A) You have, or think you may have:

  • a new foot ulcer, wound

OR

  • an infection in your foot

OR

  • an infection for which you are being treated but which is spreading further up your foot or into your leg
Read more
Step One:
What you need to do now

You can refer yourself to Podiatry Services and you should also follow our first-aid advice. We are not an urgent care service so you need to make sure you follow Step Two as well.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Follow the self-care advice to manage your problem here.
  2. Complete a Podiatry self-referral form online.
  3. Follow the advice in Step Two.

 

Step Two:
What to do next

There are three ways to get the more immediate help you need whilst we process your self-referral:

  1. Contact your doctor’s (GP) surgery urgently, or if out of hours contact your surgery’s Out of Hours Service – your GP’s surgery answerphone and website should give you the information to do this.
  2. You can also phone NHS111 (by dialling 111) or use their website here.
  3. If you have Diabetes or have been told you have Peripheral Arterial Disease (also called, PAD) visit your nearest Urgent Care Centre (also known as a Minor injuries Unit) or Emergency Department. Please do not visit these urgent care services if you do not have Diabetes or PAD, unless another health professional tells you to do so.

B) You have Diabetes or long-term loss of sensation in your foot and/or leg (known as neuropathy) and it has several or all of these symptoms:

  • is swollen – or is more swollen than is normal on the affected side if you normally have swollen feet
  • is warm or even hot – the affected foot feels warmer than the other,
  • has changed in colour,
  • has changed in shape,
  • is painful despite having been told you have a loss of sensation (known as neuropathy)
Read more
Step One:
What you need to do now

You may have a condition called a “Charcot Joint”. It is important that you seek help immediately.

You can refer yourself to Podiatry Services but we are not an urgent care service so you must make sure you follow Step Two below as well. More information about this condition can also be found here.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Follow the self-care advice to manage your problem here.
  2. Complete a Podiatry self-referral form online.
  3. Follow the advice in Step Two.

 

Step Two:
What to do next

There are three ways to get the more immediate help you need whilst we process your self-referral:

  1. Contact your doctor’s (GP) surgery urgently, or if out of hours contact your surgery’s Out of Hours Service – your GP’s surgery answerphone and website should give you the information to do this.Tell them you may a Charcot Joint.
  2. You can also phone NHS111 (by dialling 111) or use their website here and tell them you think you may have a Charcot Joint.
  3. If you have Diabetes or have been told you have Peripheral Neuropathy visit your nearest Urgent Care Centre (also known as a Minor injuries Unit) or Emergency Department. Please do not visit these urgent care services if you do not have Diabetes or PAD, unless another health professional tells you to do so. Tell them you may have a Charcot Joint.

C) You have:

  • new, sudden, constant and severe pain in the foot or leg even at rest.

The foot or leg might have become:

  • very icy cold the touch,
  • very pale or mottled in colour,
  • unusually numb, tingling or burning
Read more
Step One:
What you need to do now

You might have a condition called Critical Ischaemia. It is important that you seek help immediately.

You can refer yourself to Podiatry Services but we are not an urgent care service, so you must make sure you follow Step Two below as well.

Here’s what you need to do:

  1. Follow the self-care advice to manage your problem here.
  2. Complete a Podiatry self-referral form online
  3. Follow the advice in Step Two

 

Step Two:
What to do next

There are three ways to get the more immediate help you need whilst we process your self-referral:

  1. Contact your doctor’s (GP) surgery urgently, or if out of hours contact your surgery’s Out of Hours Service – your GP’s surgery answerphone and website should give you the information to do this.
  2. You can also phone NHS 111 or use their website.
  3. If you have Diabetes or have been told you have Peripheral Arterial Disease (also called PAD) visit your nearest Urgent Care Centre (also known as a Minor injuries Unit) or Emergency Department. Please do not visit these urgent care services if you do not have Diabetes or PAD, unless another health professional tells you to do so.
Click here to continue your self-referral