Podiatry event gives patients a spring in their step
We recently held our first ever Podiatry Community Appointment Day at East Ayrshire Community Hospital, which provided a range of advice on foot care, independent living supports and general health and wellbeing.
The event was inspired by the Sussex Musculo-Skeletal (MSK) Partnership, which invited people on routine physiotherapy waiting lists to attend ‘Community Appointment Days’. This initiative reduced the waiting list enormously as it allowed attendees to be given immediate rehabilitation treatment or a referral to another service.
Podiatrists were on-hand to offer personal foot care and early intervention treatments, as well as general information on our podiatry service and the range of support it provides. Students from Glasgow Caledonian University were also there to help attendees, alongside staff from a number of our partner organisations. These included Feet 1st, our Community Alarms Service, East Ayrshire Carers Centre and the Nest Wellbeing Group.
An Occupational Therapist was also in attendance to provide advice on falls prevention and general tips on staying safe and well as we age.
Hendrika Psaila, event volunteer and a member of our Stakeholder Forum, spoke of the day’s positive atmosphere and clear sense of community:
“It was great to see all the attendees coming through the door…as the people came in, the sense of community grew. Old friends met up and strangers shared stories. The atmosphere at the stalls was buzzing. People could share their issues and ask for advice, and they were listened to. Attendees left the hospital with a rich experience and happier feet.”
Many thanks to all staff and volunteers who took part in this inaugural event and made it such a success!
Find further information about our podiatry service on the NHS Ayrshire and Arran website.
