The community podiatry foot protection service employs an enthusiastic team of podiatrists who provide a wide range of services to the local community, prioritising those with the greatest risk of potential limb loss.

Podiatry is the modern term for chiropody and this name reflects the increased scope of practice of the profession that has developed from its origins in chiropody to become a medical speciality dealing with the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of the lower limb.

The scope of practice of podiatry is much wider than many people realise and includes.

• Minor Surgery such as nail surgery and verucca dry needling
• Sports injuries, biomechanics and musculoskeletal assessment
• Foot wound care
• Foot health education

All of the podiatrists work with patients who are known as being at risk. This means they have an underlying illness or condition that puts their legs and feet at an increased risk of injury or development of wounds, such as diabetes, rheumatology problems, some disabilities, poor circulation and reduced feeling.

The department also provides podiatry services where appropriate to social services establishments, day care centres, patient’s own homes and in local hospitals.

Cantley Health Centre Podiatrists work alongside other health and social care professionals as part of clinical teams and contribute to specialist clinics such as the diabetes multi-disciplinary foot ulcer clinic within Doncaster Royal Infirmary.

Podiatry assessments

Cantley Health Centre offer podiatry assesments for the following:

• if you are low risk you will be given self-help advice and discharged
• if you are moderate risk you may be given self-help advice, treatment and either discharged or given a course of treatment leading to discharge
• if you are high risk you may be required to be seen periodically, dependant upon your foot condition for ongoing care, self-help advice is also given to reduce the risk of serious foot complications developing

The aim is to help people to gain a better understanding of their foot condition, what they should and shouldn’t do to safely manage it, and know when to contact for help and who to contact.

Cantley Health Centre only offer appointments to patients registered with a GP within in Doncaster area and who meet their foot heath criteria. Please check the criteria here before submitting your referral.  

You may refer yourself directly to the department by completing an application form for a podiatry assessment via the online form here or paper copies of the referral form can be collected from your local Don Valley Healthcare reception desk and sent to to following address - Cantley Health Centre, Middleham Road, Cantley, Doncaster, South Yorkshire, DN4 6ED

Please note that this service is not provided by Don Valley Healthcare and a member of the podiatry team at Cantley Health Centre will contact you directly.