Footcare 'lacking for the elderly'
Poor footcare prevents some people from being socially mobile
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Monday, 20, Aug 2007 08:09
A lack of footcare services is leaving older people across England housebound and disabled, a new report has warned.
One in three people aged over 65 – over two million older people – cannot cut their own nails, leaving them reliant on services on the NHS to help them.
But these services are being withdrawn or restricted by the NHS, Age Concern claims, leaving them to suffer while on longer waiting lists, pay for private care or rely on help from charities.
Not being able to cut nails can lead people to suffer from dangerous falls and their social mobility is restricted.
Age Concern has been made aware of older people who have used garden shears to cut their nails or who have kicked walls with bare feet in an attempt to shorten them.
The charity is calling on the Department of Health (DoH) to resolve the problem, including putting chiropody in the NHS maximum waiting time target of 18 weeks.
Primary care trusts (PCTs) are also being asked to ensure there are footcare services available for all who need them.
Commenting on the problem, Gordon Lishman, director general of Age Concern, said: "Footcare services are failing older people, and a postcode lottery is leaving those in some areas without any services at all.
"Age Concerns do their best to help bridge the gaps in services, but many people are left without adequate footcare. The DoH must take a lead in resolving this problem."
A spokesperson for the DoH said the government recognises "the importance of the provision of chiropody services to older people" and is "working hard" to reduce NHS waiting times.
"We expect the NHS to provide high quality chiropody services as we know healthy feet have a huge impact on the quality of life of older people. It is up to PCTs to assess the needs of their local population and to provide services accordingly.
"While the 18 week target does not cover chiropody, it will mean faster access to treatment for many conditions affecting older people that involve consultant-led care."