Podiatry – Halton

General introduction

Podiatry is a clinical speciality that provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment for conditions affecting the foot, ankle and lower limb.

The Halton Podiatry Service offers a wide range of podiatric care across clinic and community settings, including residential and nursing homes, and in people’s own homes for those who are totally housebound.

All podiatrists in the team are Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered, and treatment pathways follow guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Our services

podiatric treatment - debridement of hard skin and corns, and nail care for people at high risk of complications due to their diagnosis, medications or foot problems
treatment and management of foot ulcers – including debridement and offloading for ulcers caused by diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, infection or trauma
biomechanical assessment - assessment, advice and insole provision for adults and children with musculoskeletal foot pain or gait (walking) problems
nail surgery - removal of part or all of the nail plate for painful or problematic nails, such as ingrowing toenails (under local anaesthetic)
rapid access to the diabetic foot ulcer clinic at Warrington Hospital
emergency access clinics for acute or infected foot conditions
domiciliary visits for high‑risk housebound patients who are bedbound, hoisted or medically unable to travel and are on the GP housebound register

How to access this service

Anyone registered with a Halton GP who has a foot problem may be able to access podiatry.

To ensure that those in greatest need receive NHS podiatry services, eligibility criteria are applied. These are based on clinical, medical and podiatric need.

This means we are unable to provide routine podiatry treatment for minor foot problems or simple nail care for people who do not have a medical condition that affects their foot health.

Referrals not accepted include:

common foot problems such as verrucae, athlete’s foot and dry skin
footwear assessment and advice
toenail cutting and nail disorders, including fungal nails

Information and advice about these and other foot conditions can be found in the 'Useful information' section on this page.

You can access the service through self‑referral using our Halton podiatry referral form. The form can be emailed to us, or printed and posted.

Please note that submitting a referral does not guarantee an appointment.

All referrals are triaged by the podiatry service. A decision to accept the referral (and offer an assessment appointment) or reject it will be based on clinical, medical and podiatric need.

Priority is given to people with urgent foot problems.

Please note: A diagnosis of diabetes alone, or requests for nail care, are not sufficient reasons for referral.

Where the service is offered

Runcorn

St Paul’s Health Centre
Hallwood Health Centre
Castlefields Health Centre
Murdishaw Health Centre

Widnes

Widnes Health Care Resource Centre
Chapelfield Health Centre
Beaconsfield Road Health Centre

Useful information

Additional service information

All clinic locations offer morning or afternoon appointments on various days of the week.

Widnes Health Care Resource Centre, the busiest centre, also provides evening surgeries.

All clinics have on‑site parking, including disabled parking spaces close to the entrance.

All locations are wheelchair accessible. Where clinics are on the second floor (HCRC, Castlefields and Beaconsfield), a lift is available.

If you have mobility needs that require access to a specific location, please highlight this at the referral stage so reasonable adjustments can be made.

Podiatry services across the Trust ensure that every clinical site complies with the Equality Act 2010 for patients identified as having a disability.