A Diabetes Foot Care Experience Relevant to Cheltenham, Cirencester & the South West
Access to regular diabetes foot checks and podiatry services is essential for preventing serious foot problems, infections and amputations. Yet for some people living with diabetes and disability, accessing even basic foot care remains a challenge.
This personal story highlights why clear referral pathways and joined-up foot care services are vital for people living in Cheltenham, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Wiltshire, Somerset and Worcestershire, as well as across the UK.
Living With Diabetes, Disability and Foot Care Needs
“I developed Type 2 diabetes in 1990 when I was 40 years old, and I went blind about ten years ago.”
Living with diabetes significantly increases the risk of foot complications, and for people with additional disabilities, such as sight loss, access to podiatry care is even more important.
“Because I’m blind, I can’t clip my toenails, so it’s essential that I see a podiatrist on a regular basis.”
Regular podiatry appointments are not a luxury — they are a key part of safe diabetes care.
Struggling to Access a Basic Diabetes Foot Check
Despite attending an annual diabetic review, this person experienced repeated barriers:
- The hospital no longer provided podiatry checks
- The GP surgery redirected responsibility elsewhere
- Local clinics reported they were not funded to carry out foot checks
- Records could not be shared between services
“I was passed from hospital to GP, from GP to clinic, and back again.”
This lack of coordination left important foot problems missed or undocumented.
Missed Problems and Fragmented Care
Although a practice nurse reviewed the feet, a later podiatry appointment revealed hard skin and foot issues that had not been identified earlier.
“The podiatrist I see every eight weeks pointed out a problem with hard skin, yet this was not mentioned by the practice nurse.”
This highlights the importance of:
- Trained foot assessments
- Consistent documentation
- Clear referral pathways to podiatry and foot protection teams
The Impact of Poor Access to Foot Care
“A podiatry service doesn’t really exist in my area. I am blind and it is difficult to chase around from clinic to GP surgery to hospital just to get basic diabetes checks.”
For people with diabetes, especially those with:
- Sight loss
- Mobility difficulties
- Long-term complications
Poor access to foot care increases the risk of:
- Undetected foot ulcers
- Infections
- Emergency hospital admissions
- Avoidable amputations
Advocacy, Independence and Being Heard
Despite these challenges, this person remains active and determined:
“Being blind and diabetic shouldn’t stop you from doing anything.”
“If you sit there and do nothing, nothing will ever happen. I make sure my voice is heard so people can hear about my experience and hopefully help others not be forgotten.”
Why This Matters Locally
This story is a reminder for healthcare providers and commissioners across:
- Cheltenham
- Cirencester
- Gloucestershire
- Oxfordshire
- Wiltshire
- Somerset
- Worcestershire
That:
- Diabetes foot care must be accessible
- Services must be joined up
- Patients with disabilities should not have to fight for basic care
- Clear responsibility for foot checks and podiatry referrals is essential
If you would like to see a podiatrist and get some expert advice, contact the Head Clinician at the Bourton Podiatry one of the most respected Podiatrists in the Cotswolds area. Telephone: 01451 824301 or Website: https://bourtonpodiatry.com/contact/
courtesy of diabetes.org.uk.