Foot care - available on the NHS?

LittleGreyCat said:

I am starting to struggle with keeping my toenails trimmed.

Two issues really; I am very inflexible so can't get very close to them and my eyesight is starting to fail through AMD.

I am now looking for someone to care for them, and wondered if an NHS Podiatrist would be suitable for this, and perhaps even free?

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You can self refer but depending on your area there could be a long waiting list & the criteria is becoming stricter.

Private may not be that expensive, I have a lady who comes to my house about every 3 months she’s about £30, she cuts my nails, hard skin & moisturiser

I do get pedicures in between at a salon so you’ll probably need more regular visits, possibly every six weeks or so

I remember my parents reaching age 60 , some 40 years ago, being invited to local NHS clinic every six weeks for foot care, free at the point of delivery, as the NHS ethos had originally been.

Arthritic, short sighted , diabetic self, well over age 60, with broken ankle, broken wrist on dominant hand and dislocated thumb on other hand , last year, requested appointment through self referral at same NHS clinic my parents had previously attended. I usually go to a private podiatry service, but their clinic was not accessible.

Waited almost 5 months for the NHS clinic.
Seems NHS podiatry is going same way as NHS dentistry. Postcode lottery.

I think you are going to need to find a private podiatry service. Unless you are very lucky, @LittleGreyCat .

Mobile podiatrists are usually cheaper than those in a clinic. They have less overheads - you can still check out if they are registered etc