Podiatry services
The Podiatry service is split into three teams: Foot Protection Team, High Risk Foot Team and Musculoskeletal (MSK) Podiatry.
Our clinics usually run Monday to Friday, 8:15am-5:30pm. Please note not all locations operate every day or between these times. Please contact the local clinic for specific details.
MSK and High Risk Foot Team clinics are based only at Ashton Primary Care.
Our Foot Protection Team are based at can be found in the following locations:
Ashton Primary Care Centre
193 Old Street
St Petersfield
Ashton-under-Lyne
Lancashire
OL6 7SR
Dewsnap Lane Clinic
Dewsnap Lane
Dukinfield
SK16 5AW
Glossop Primary Care Centre
George Street
Glossop
SK13 8AY
Hattersley Health Centre
Hattersley Road East
Hattersley
SK14 3EH
Union Street Clinic
Union Street
Hyde
SK14 1NX
Mossley Health Centre
Market Street
Mossley
OL5 0HE
Stalybridge Clinic
Waterloo Road
Stalybridge
SK15 2AU
Ann Street Health Centre
Ann Street
Denton
M34 2AJ
Your health and comfort is our priority. That is why we want to find out what has been good about your experience and where you feel we can improve.
You can tell us about your experiences in the following ways:
Foot Protection Team
This service provides assessment, diagnosis, treatment and advice to improve tissue viability, mobility, to reduce pain and promote foot health. We welcome self-referrals and continue to accept referrals from GP and other health care professionals.
There is an ever-increasing volume and complexity of foot problems. To ensure our service can continue to meet the evolving needs of our residents and provide vital care in a timely way to those who are most at risk, we must prioritise people with:
- At risk limbs
- Rehabilitation needs
- Acute foot problems
Please see the drop-down list for the full access criteria and self-referral form.
The foot protection team also provide urgent drop-in sessions. Please see below for more information on this clinic.
To access services from the Foot Protection Team, you must have a high risk medical condition as listed below. You must also be showing signs or symptoms in feet/legs that increase risk to integrity of the limb and/or mobility and function.
- Diabetes/ Rheumatoid arthritis or connective tissue disorder with one or more of the following conditions: peripheral neuropathy; peripheral arterial disease or foot deformity; symptomatic skin; and nail conditions
- Peripheral Arterial Disease
- Immunosuppressed (may include current chemotherapy, certain medications for example biologics or biosimilars)
- Neurological conditions (directly affecting the feet)
- Renal problems requiring renal replacement therapy
- On or approaching ‘End of Life’ care pathway
- Acute Podiatric Needs: Bacterial infection, ulcers/wounds, In-growing toenail- where surgery is appropriate this will be offered. If nail surgery is not required or wanted, self-care will be advised
- Other Podiatric needs: Biomechanical needs- structural foot problems eg foot/ankle pain, associated knee/hip pain or congenital deformities, paediatric foot/ankle development e.g. in toeing, significant pronation
Referrals for the following will be rejected and not accepted for initial assessment:
- Annual diabetic foot assessment (This is provided by the GP, any patients deemed as increased risk will be referred to podiatry for further assessment)
- General foot care e.g. Hard skin, corns or nail care without a clearly indicated risk to the limb
- Verrucae
- Fungal nail infections
- Asymptomatic ‘Flat feet’/pronation
- Referrals for the same condition within a 12-month period unless there is a considerable change to medical history/medication, in which case a re-assessment may be required
You will be sent a letter with details of your appointment. Before your visit, think what about health issues you are experiencing and what questions to ask. Please bring an up-to-date medication list.
A care plan will be put into place during your visit. You will either receive a short term package of care to treat an acute problem for which you will be given pre-booked appointments, be given a long term care plan for which you will be advised to rebook a new podiatry appointment as required, or be discharged from the service with the appropriate advice as no further treatment is required.
A self-referral can be made by downloading and completing the enclosed self-referral form.
Urgent podiatry clinics run twice per week:
- Monday - Ashton Primary Care Centre, Old Street: 1:30-3:30pm (except Bank Holidays)
- Thursday - Stalybridge Clinic, Waterloo Rd: 9:30-11:30am
These can be accessed by people who are not currently registered with our service but have an urgent podiatric need. Please see our urgent walk in poster for further information.
High Risk Foot Team
The High Risk Foot Team are specialist podiatrists skilled in the assessment, diagnosis and management of the ‘at risk’ lower limb. They are a fully integrated service providing treatments at Ashton Primary Care Centre, Tameside Outpatient clinic, patients’ homes (including care homes and nursing homes) and on wards within Tameside Hospital.
Specialist interventions for patients with complex foot ulcerations can include scalpel debridement with access to specialist dressings and cast techniques to provide pressure relief for foot ulcers or charcot neuroarthropathy treatment.
The team work closely with the Foot Protection Team and District Nursing, and some patients' care may be shared between the services. The team also work with vascular, orthopaedic and diabetes consultants and can facilitate rapid, direct access for patients with limb threatening infection or ulceration.
The High Risk Foot Team also provide a lower limb arterial assessment service for people who are suspected to have poor circulation, they may also experience calf pain on walking or may have previously had a lower limb amputation.
Referrals to this team are from health care professionals only.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Podiatry
The MSK Podiatry team offers services for children and adults, and also runs a complex insole clinic.
Our paediatric podiatry service focuses on promoting children's health, activeness, and physical wellbeing through specialised foot and lower limb care. It addresses a range of conditions, including developmental and biomechanical issues, which can impact a child's ability to move comfortably and confidently. Services include thorough assessments to diagnose foot or gait abnormalities, personalised treatments like orthotics to support healthy development, and guidance on preventive care. By supporting optimal foot function, our paediatric podiatry service encourages an active lifestyle, reduces injury risks, and enhances overall physical health and wellbeing from a young age.
The adult MSK podiatry service provides expert assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for conditions affecting the muscles, bones, and joints of the lower limbs. It addresses issues like heel pain, tendonitis, joint pain and biomechanical dysfunctions that can limit mobility and cause discomfort. By offering tailored treatments, such as orthotics, manual therapy and exercise programs, MSK podiatry aims to restore function, reduce pain, and improve overall movement efficiency. This service promotes active lifestyles and enhances physical well-being, helping patients of all ages stay mobile and active with a strong foundation in lower limb health.
The MSK service also offers a complex insole clinic for wound care patients in podiatry. We specialise in designing and providing advanced insoles to manage and prevent foot wounds, particularly in patients with diabetes or circulation issues. This service focuses on "offloading" high-pressure areas on the foot to reduce the risk of skin breakdown and support healing. Custom insoles are crafted to redistribute weight, relieve pressure points, and minimize friction, addressing the specific needs of each patient. By offering a tailored approach to wound prevention and management, the clinic supports better outcomes, enhancing mobility, comfort, and overall foot health for patients with complex care needs.