12 To 14 Weeks Wait To See A Podiatrist!!

[RATTER15]

Due to Carakeel's knee replacement and the previous problems of infection in the old knee that required the knee replacement due to the bone disintegrating, she was told by her surgeon that she must be very careful of any infection anywhere.
About a week before her operation she had an infection in her toe due to an ingrown toenail, they were very close to cancelling her operation but fortunately we got the infection sorted with antibiotics just in the nick of time.

She has now more pain in that toe again, so she phoned up the local NHS podiatrist and was told that an appointment would be in 12 to 14 weeks!!

I don't understand this, someone in pain from an ingrown toenail is told to wait so long! I have been trained to cut toenails but my training is very limited so I am not permitted to cut toenails with certain medical complaints, ingrowing toenails being one of them.

How bad will this be in 3 months+ totally ridiculous, Clearly we will need to have this done privately now!

Carakeel has had amazing treatment from the NHS hospital in Hereford and the staff were fantastic, we cant speak highly enough of them, now she needs her toe nails cutting and we get this!!

Total MADNESS!!!!

End of rant!! No, sorry, no question!!

[sunny-dave]

About £20 (ish) for a private session?

I know you shouldn't have to, but in your situation that's what I would do.

[mccfluff]

can you ring her doc & ask her to refer her urgently - no idea if this will work or not

[RATTER15]

More than £20 i'm sure, we used to pay at least £27.00. Of course we will pay it whatever it is.

The problem being that some people just cant pay it!!

[sunny-dave]

I agree Ratter - it's daft and unfair.

[Baldric]

I see a Podiatrist Annually due to Diabetes, the Clinic I use, when I 'phone for an appointment, usually tell me what Date they're taking the next batch of bookings on, then I attend reception in person, as that way you get priority over telephone hopefuls, and usually get an appointment within 4 to 6 weeks, so always make sure I get in early. They are always incredibly busy.

[bednobs]

they don't say 12 weeks just because they don't fancy doing any work you know!

[vakayu]

Unfortunately there seems to be a lack of good podiatrist's about,even paying privately there is a waiting list and they are always booked weeks ahead,a good career opportunity here if anyone fancies it!

[RATTER15]

bednobs, nobody suggested they do. I just find it ridiculous that they either don't have qualified staff or nobody wants to do the work!

Whatever the reason, it is ridiculous, especially when the average foot pruning session only tales about 10 minutes, these aren't lengthy processes, I know, I've done them as part of my training.

[RATTER15]

vakayu, from what I know of the trade, it isn't easy to make money doing podiatry, the training is long and intense with may courses to complete after you are qualified, the training is ongoing and very expensive.

I thought about doing it myself at one time.

[vakayu]

Thanks for the reply RATTER that perhaps goes halfway to understanding why the waiting times are so long then,I hope you can come up with a solution to your problem,maybe as suggested a fast track letter or recommendation by the doctor,would speed things up,worth a try,good luck.

[bednobs]

i suppose its all about priorities - its not life saving or even life enhancing treatment in most cases

[vakayu]

In certain circumstances it is a priority of prevention of life-threatening infections with complications setting in?

[gness]

And as well as what Vak has said, Bednobs.....getting rid of the agony of an ingrowing toenail is pretty life enhancing...

[sunny-dave]

Don't be daft, bednobs.

Foot pain can be excruciating and (effectively life destroying if it prevents walking/driving/working).

By your devastatingly accurate analysis, we should de-prioritise pregnancy services - after all it's rarely life threatening and most women recover in just over nine months anyway ...

[RATTER15]

Good point Dave, apparently there is a 9 month waiting list for abortions in Ireland!