Type 2 Diabetes foot care, nail trimming?

[LittleGreyCat]

I have T2 Diabetes, and also AMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration).
I am also very inflexible so can't easily get my face near to my toes.
This makes nail care very difficult.

I am looking for a service to care for my nails and feet.
NHS Podiatry only seems to treat serious foot problems, so I am looking for paid services.

Has anyone without major foot problems been able to access NHS Podiatry?

If you use a private service, what qualifications do you look for?

I assume that I could use a nail bar, but I don't know if they are trained/expert enough to identify potential issues.

Finally, how often do you visit?

 

[lovinglife]

My dad was similar to yourself @LittleGreyCat, I contacted his local age concern & they provided a list of podiatrists that provided paid visits at reasonable prices - I think he used to be about £25 a visit. Even when dad went into a care home because of his diabetes they wouldn’t cut his toenails & I continued to pay for the same podiatrist to visit

I use a salon every 3 weeks but I have no real problems, but every 3 months I get a local home visit from a podiatrist- she does things like my salon won’t do such as any ingrowing nail or difficult hard skin I pay about £35. They have to be qualified & registered to call themselves a podiatrist

 

[Outlier]

My beautician trims my fingernails and toenails for me, and makes a super job of it. Prior to that, I went to a podiatrist, but she retired.

 

[Pipp]

I have T2 Diabetes, and also AMD (Age Related Macular Degeneration).
I am also very inflexible so can't easily get my face near to my toes.
This makes nail care very difficult.

I am looking for a service to care for my nails and feet.
NHS Podiatry only seems to treat serious foot problems, so I am looking for paid services.

Has anyone without major foot problems been able to access NHS Podiatry?

If you use a private service, what qualifications do you look for?

I assume that I could use a nail bar, but I don't know if they are trained/expert enough to identify potential issues.

Finally, how often do you visit?

@LittleGreyCat ,
Anyone calling themselves a podiatrist has to have had appropriate training, and be registered with Health and Care Professionals Council.

You can check the name and profession on the link attached.

Check the Register and find a registered health and care professional

Online Register to find a paramedic, chiropodist, podiatrist, physiotherapist, psychologist, occupational therapist, dietitian

www.hcpc-uk.org

I generally manage my own foot care. Though I do go to a registered podiatrist if I have a problem with nails. I wouldn’t allow anyone not registered to touch my feet. I pay £40, and can claim back some of that from private health scheme I subscribe to.

When I broke my ankle and wrist a couple of years ago I did a self referral to NHS podiatry because I couldn’t manage. I waited four months, by which time I was able to manage myself again.

I do think it a disgrace that NHS foot care is not available to people with diabetes. It used to be. I remember in my parents time, 40 years ago, they were invited to attend NHS foot clinics for regular checks and nail care, as soon as they were sixty years old. Even people that did not have diabetes were offered that service.