Agenda item

To consider an update on foot care services available in Haringey.

Marco Inzani, Commissioning Lead: Better Care Fund (BCF), updated the Panel on local foot care services and the communications channels that were used to notify residents about services across the borough.

The Chair advised, that in preparing for this item, members of the Panel had received feedback from users of the Bridge Renewal Trust’s Foot Care Plus service (clinic and outreach) and had met representatives from the Hornsey Pensioners Action Group.

Mr Inzani commenced his presentation by providing a summary of the foot care services available to Haringey residents. Information was provided on:

-       Haringey Locality Teams

-       Whittington Health Podiatry and Foot Health Services

-       The Haringey Adult Foot Care Service

-       The Bridge Renewal Trust who provided affordable Foot Care+ services for older people (aged over 50 years old)

During the discussion a number of issues were considered, including:

-       The importance of using various communication channels to ensure clear sign posting and information in relation to foot care. It was noted the Council had commissioned Information Advice and Guidance services from Citizens Advice Bureaux, Age UK and the Law Centre. It was explained that these services could be accessed in the community both face-to-face or via the telephone and that moving forward it would be possible to identify how many people had accessed foot care services in Haringey.

-       An online directory for health and social care services, known as Haricare had been produced, and recently re-launched, by the council. Following feedback from members of the panel it was recognised that since the re-launch there had been a few issues with the directory but these would be addressed moving forwards.  

-       The information provided by NHS 111 in relation to foot care. 

-       Concerns were raised in relation to performance issues highlighted in the report in relation to the Podiatry and Foot Health Services provided by Whittington Health NHS Trust. In view of the costs associated with each “did not attend” it was agreed that the panel needed a better understanding of why patients did not attend and the action being taken to reduce the number of patients not attending. 

-       The panel received information concerning the regular monitoring meetings that were held with the Podiatry and Foot Health Service. It was noted that such meetings covered services provided to residents across Haringey and Islington. Concerns were raised in relation to the number of patients waiting for more than six weeks for their first appointment. In addition, it was suggested that additional monitoring was required in relation to the maintenance of the service (e.g. the time you wait for an appointment once you are in the system). 

-       The NHS Friends and Family Test was discussed in relation to foot care.

-       Further information was requested in relation to the specification for the Podiatry and Foot Health Service provided by Whittington Health NHS Trust in order to better understand the issues with performance outlined in the report.

-       Recruitment and retention issues were considered in relation to the Podiatry and Foot Care Health Service.

-       The Haringey Adult Foot Care Service, provided by a foot care assistant who provided simple nail cutting and foot care at The Priory, Abyssinia Court, The Haven Day Centre Service, The Crescent, and Woodside.

-       Concerns in relation to the number of older people who may have problems carrying out basic foot care, such as nail cutting,  by themselves. Consideration was given to the estimated need and unmet need in the borough and the possible cost of unmet need.  It was suggested that better data collection was required in order to understand these issues locally. 

-       It was explained, due to the planned closure of the Haven, that the Foot Care Service was considering options for future delivery from alternative locations. The panel was assured that alternative provision would be in place before the closure of the Haven.  

-       The Chair noted that feedback on the Adult Foot Care Service had been positive and it was suggested that the Council and The Whittington Health NHS Trust should consider options for increasing the number of staff who were trained in basic foot care. It was also suggested that such training could be rolled out further to carers, friends and family, community groups among others.

Issues in relation to patient transport and the role of podiatry care in relation to falls prevention were also considered.

AGREED:

(a)  That the range of foot care services in Haringey, provided by statutory and voluntary health and social care organisations, be noted.

(b)  That the performance of the Whittington Health Podiatry and Foot Health Service be noted.  

(c)  That the communications channels, used to notify residents about local foot care services, be noted.

(d)   That the Principal Scrutiny Officer be asked to organise an initial evidence gathering session, with commissioners and providers, to consider (i) the issues/concerns outlined above (the minutes) and (ii) how scrutiny could add value moving forward.