The Podiatry Hub have received a Big Shout Out to celebrate the new self-referral access centre which has seen a substantial decrease in waiting times for the service.
The newly formed team, who are based at Coathill Hospital help manage the access to podiatry treatment across Lanarkshire, comprise of four full time administration staff and twelve triaging podiatrists.
The service, which has been active since May 2022, sees patients self-referring to the hub either by telephone or email.
Jamie Quin, the head of podiatry, said: “The Hub has made such a big impact on the waiting times for Podiatry. At one point, our waiting times were up to 16 weeks. But, thanks to our new clinical triage system, our longest wait is only four weeks.
“Patients that have got a red hot swollen foot will be seen within two working days. Patients with more routine foot conditions will be seen within four to six weeks at the moment.
“The admin component of them have worked really hard over the last six to eight months pulling the service together. They’ve been one of the best people to work with. They all work really hard, really well and they really need a big shout out for them because they’ve made such a difference to us.”
It is estimated that the team have made between 30 and 40 per cent efficiencies, thanks to the high performance of the team.
Claire James, deputy head of podiatry, said: “We’ve used the modern outpatient approach to put in place ACRT patient initiated review and our call centre approach. The impact that it’s had on service is that staff now spend more time with patients than on admin tasks.”
The open referral system is also helping to save time for colleagues in primary care, reducing the need to make referrals.
Peter McCrossan, director for Allied Health Professions, said: “I was most impressed with the dedication and the skills of the staff within the Hub.
“I’m aware of the increase in capacity that this hub has brought and the reduction in the waiting times which has really been quite substantial. And it’s an area where I’m keen to develop the hub approach in other professions.
“I would just like to take this opportunity to thank the Hub team who have been instrumental in bringing this project to life.”
The Big Shout Out praises NHS Lanarkshire teams for taking an innovative, creative and patient-centred approach to working, and recognises the unique contribution staff make to overcoming the challenges faced across the entire healthcare system.
