Personal Footcare Guidance

Appendix 3

Model 1. Supported self care for individuals

This model is supported by education on personal footcare that is often provided by NHS podiatry services. It can be delivered on an individual or small group basis to a variety of people including people with a personal footcare need and unpaid carers who can support self care for others.

The evaluation of the supported self care model has good results and is one that is currently in place in some areas of Scotland. This benefits those individuals who are able to carry out their own footcare with some additional support, or have a relative or carer that can provide assistance with this. However, it does not meet the needs of those individuals who are unable to carry out their own personal footcare and have no one to assist them with this.

It is acknowledged that within this model, provision of education and awareness to allow self care for people and their carers is a clear component of possible strategies. Open access to national educational resources both online and in DVD format will support a framework within which NHS boards can provide this approach.

Model 2. Integrated personal footcare services for people receiving care

This model promotes provision of education and awareness to groups of employed care staff in all care sectors to teach them how to provide personal footcare to others.

A partnership approach with health and social care is a well established model currently in place across Scotland. Education and awareness sessions are organised locally to meet the needs of individual areas and particularly directed to care home, care at home and hospital staff. This can help employed care staff to confidently and safely provide personal footcare.

This partnership approach has clear advantages in supporting care staff in a care home, care at home and in hospital settings providing people with a viable option to meet the personal footcare needs of individuals.

Access to national educational resources will support the development of confidence and skills to deliver a high standard of personal footcare. The education will also support personal footcare providers in the recognition of potential foot problems and define clear care pathways to NHS podiatry services.

Model 3. Social enterprise and third sector partnership for people unable to self care

This model utilises social enterprise or voluntary services that may already provide a range of support services which can include personal footcare. The service is either arranged in partnership with health or social care services or independently provided.

In terms of an option where personal footcare is delivered as a dedicated service, there is potential to reach the broader community and meet the wider demands for personal footcare within populations. This model affords an opportunity to test an innovative way of working in Scotland that could potentially provide dedicated personal footcare services to the general public. It is essential that governance arrangements are clearly defined and that service providers meet minimum standards required for safety and competency. Agencies and social enterprises may impose a charge to individuals for providing this service.

Access to national educational resources will support the development of confidence and skills to deliver a high standard of personal footcare. The education will also teach providers how to recognise potential foot problems and define clear care pathways to NHS podiatry

Model 4. Independent podiatry practice

In some parts of the United Kingdom a number of independent podiatry practices provide personal footcare for people unable to self care. In some cases podiatry assistants provide this service as part of the skill mix within an independent podiatry practice.