PRJ-1259-NEL ICB-Toe Nail Cutting Service

Service background

There is a growing need for basic toe nail care in the population as more people are now elderly or retired and often live alone. The needs of the old and frail are increasing and social care is not able to meet some personal care needs outside of residents with complex health needs and/or with disabilities.

The NHS footcare services are designed to provide services for patients with foot pathologies such diabetics and those with vascular disease. They cannot provide basic foot care for patients outside of this remit and therefore patients without foot pathologies are not entitled to NHS care for the basics of toenail cutting. Most of the population continue to manage such basic services themselves and do not need outside help but there is now a growing need for some of the population where they are no longer able to manage this themselves and do not have family to help with what used to be simple task. The people tend to be frail with age related issues of reduced flexibility and often live alone with no close family available to them.

To address inequalities across the City and Hackney community this service has been designed to target specific parts of the population where there is the greatest need for help with the simple task of toenail cutting. This is something that is only necessary for most people 3 to 4 times a year to prevent toenails becoming a hindrance to walking and moving around.

Scope of the service

To provide a Low risk non-clinical Foot Care service which main function will be to care for toenails for vulnerable residents not under the care of the Homerton foot health service.

• To support elderly and vulnerable client groups with independence, minimise risk of falls and potential fractures requiring more intensive interventions

• To reduce social isolation

• To support primary care in the care of their most vulnerable patients and assist in general patient reduction in attending their practices/services