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Age Concern have released a report on older people's footcare on Monday 20 August 2007, as part of a campaign to improve the footcare of older people.
“The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists welcomes Age Concern’s campaign to improve the foot care of older people and the publication of the Feet for Purpose report,” said Janet McInnes, chairman of the SCP.
“The SCP, along with other organisations including Age Concern, has highlighted again and again the impact of a lack of investment in foot health treatment for older people. The importance of good foot health in maintaining older people’s independence, mobility and social contact cannot be overstated.
“The level of investment in foot health has not kept pace with the need for foot health.”
The SCP supports the recommendation in the report that PCTs, in co-operation with local authorities, should undertake comprehensive assessments of local foot health needs and commission services from a diverse range of providers.
Like Age Concern, the SCP is unable to estimate with any accuracy the cost of fully funding podiatry and foot care services, because the Department of Health no longer collects the data. But physically active older people place fewer burdens on other parts of health and social services than those who are housebound and isolated, so the health and economic benefits of funding these services are clear.
The SCP shares the concerns about the position of people with diabetes who are not receiving an appropriate service. Diabetes UK has highlighted the increasing number of cuts to NHS diabetes services and has called for integrated care for all people with diabetes.
The SCP is working with Age Concern to update our joint guidelines on the provision of Age Concern foot care services. It is particularly important that volunteers are able to identify foot problems that should be assessed by a podiatrist, and have a pathway to refer clients to a local NHS service or private practitioner.
The SCP joins Age Concern in calling on the Department of Heath to give a lead in ensuring that the important issues in the report are addressed.
Click here to visit Age Concern's website
For press comments please contact:
Nita Parmar
The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
1 Fellmongers Path
Tower Bridge Road
London
SE1 37Y
Telephone: 020 7234 8636
Fax: 020 7234 8621
Soc Chiropodists & Podiatrists 20-Aug-2007
Categories: Elderly, Footnote
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