Podiatry service for patients with acute diabetic foot disorders. 

If you need to refer a patient to the Podiatry HOT clinic, email rf-tr.rf-podiatryfax@nhs.net, or contact the team on bleep 2317 or call 020 7830 2749.

Unwell patients or those with a spreading infection should be sent to A&E.

A specialist podiatrist will assess, treat and refer the patient to the correct foot care pathway.

Clinical advice phone line

The Royal Free podiatry team is also offering an advice phone line for NCL health care professionals (HCPs) in primary and community care to support the management of patients with foot conditions, including people with ulceration or infection who have diabetes, peripheral arterial disease or neuropathy. Please be aware that you may not be able to speak to a podiatrist on the same day as a response depends on the service capacity.

How to use the service:

• HCPs can call the podiatry service directly for clinical advice t: 020 7794 0500 bleep 71 2317.
• the podiatry service can also be contacted on t: 020 7830 2749. When calling this number, you will have to leave a message with the admin team. 

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusions

Diabetes, renal, vascular and one or more of the following active foot complaints:

• new onset foot ulcer
• current foot infection
• deep tissue / bone infection
• chronic limb threatening ischemia (refer to vascular pathway)
• gangrene
• suspicion of acute Charcot arthropathy - red, hot, swollen foot (with or without pain).

Note: The above patients should be referred to a member of the foot MDT within 24 hours, and if they attend A&E, refer as soon as possible.

Exclusions

• routine nail care
• routine callus/corn removal
• in-growing toenails
• low-risk patient with wound or burn on the foot.
• missed routine community podiatry appointment 
• systemically unwell (should attend A&E who can call podiatry to attend if a foot problem or see on ward if patient admitted)
• critical limb ischaemia (send direct referral to vascular department)

How to Refer

Referral are accepted from healthcare professionals only.

Locations

Podiatry Hot Clinic