Podiatry Service - Blackburn with Darwen

What is Podiatry?

Podiatry is the medical discipline which deals with foot related health and disease. The word podiatry has largely replaced the term chiropody by professionals. Podiatrists specialise in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of problems affecting the foot and ankle.

The Podiatry Service is aimed at people with 'at risk' feet who have a clinical need to prevent foot related issues. This means that priority will be given to people who have been diagnosed with poor circulation, loss of feeling in the feet, or another medical condition which places them at risk of developing ulcerations, infections or other significant foot problems.

We do not offer a simple nail cutting service to patients whose feet are not considered to be 'at risk' and we do not treat verrucae’s.  Treatment will only be provided if deemed necessary by the podiatrist and you could be discharged following your initial assessment with advice on self –care.

What we do

The podiatrists work in close partnership with other health professionals including GPs, specialist nurses, district nurses, practice nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and hospital s

• Specialist Biomechanics Clinics including joint physiotherapy/podiatry clinics - gait and developmental abnormalities are assessed and where appropriate, orthoses (insoles) are prescribed to correct and maintain foot function
• Nail Surgery - the removal of either part of the nail or the whole nail under local anaesthesia to correct in-growing toe nails
• Wound care Clinics - providing care for complex foot wound services
• Advanced Vascular assessments for those referred by podiatrists - using specialist diagnostic equipment, podiatry staff are able to assess blood flow to the feet that can be a valuable indicator as to their vascular status. Direct referral to vascular consultant if necessary

Where we cover

This service is available for advice and assessment to people of all ages including children who are registered with a GP in the following areas:

• Blackburn
• Darwen

Within Blackburn with Darwen - We only provide a limited service to people who are confined to their home and offer treatment from the following locations.

How to access the service

The service accepts self referrals and referrals from GPs using this referral form

How to contact us

Blackburn with Darwen Localities Podiatry Team

Darwen Health Centre
James Street West 
Darwen 
BB3 1PY

Tel: 01254 283000

Email:- BWD Referral Mgt BWD.ReferralMgt@lancashirecare.nhs.uk

Patient Information Leaflets

With our leaflets we aim to give you information about self care in general, our services and treatments, and to provide useful information for service users and their carers.

Children's Advice Leaflet

Heel Pain Advice Leaflet

Self Care Advice Leaflet

Useful Links

Age UK Fitter Feet

Foot Problems and the Podiatrist - NHS Choices

Find a podiatrist - The College of Podiatry

Foot Health - The College of Podiatry