Toenail service for elderly cut

NewsBot · Jan 18, 2006

Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
The BBC are reporting:
Toenail service for elderly cut

A home toenail trimming service for the elderly in Powys has been cut back by health officials.
A health watchdog has warned that pensioners with arthritis or without a family to help could become housebound.

It claimed that long toenails could restrict senior citizens' mobility.

But Powys Local Health Board said podiatrists were a "scarce resource" and it was advising people about how to snip their nails. It said it did not know how many people will be affected.

Brecon and Radnorshire Community Health Council said it was concerned by the decision, which also affects fingernail cutting.

People relied on this service

Bryn Williams, Brecon and Radnorshire CHC

Chief officer Bryn Williams said: "Members of the health council fear that senior citizens could become housebound as long toenails could reduce their mobility.

"People with arthritis who can't bend down to cut their toenails may not have a husband or wife who can bend down. Perhaps they don't have family who live locally either.

"People relied on this service."

Powys LHB said it was "inappropriate" to use the service of podiatrists "to cut nails that are not causing pain or harm".

The spokesman added: "The service has been revised to ensure that those patients most at risk have access to clinically appropriate and timely services.

"Patients currently accessing the service for simple or routine nail cutting are being advised on methods to achieve their nail care independently or with the help of a relative/carer.

Elderly people were entitled to have their finger nails cut too

"They are also being advised that if they have a problem with their feet they can re-access the service at any time through the normal channels and their treatment will be reviewed."

Podiatrist Kevin Hill, of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, said: "Long nails can not only be uncomfortable and a source of irritation, they can have a detrimental affect on a person's dignity.

"Neglect of nails can in time lead to foot ulcers either under the nail if the nail becomes thickened or on the next toe and this can become a source of infection.

"The other problem, with having no-one to cut your nails if you cannot attend to them yourself, is that other problems may go unrecognised.

"This can especially be a problem for someone with diminished sensation in the feet."
Click to expand...

Link

admin · Jan 18, 2006

We have had some good discussions surrounding this issue:

Sailor put on 1 year NHS waiting list – to have his toenails cut
Baron: Government complacency over chiropody services
NHS tells veteran 'get a neighbour to cut your toenails'
Social nailcare by volunteers

NewsBot The Admin that posts the news.

admin Administrator Staff Member

Ultrasound clinical references of the healthy toenail unit

Extreme pain after toenail removal--normal?

Injection therapy for ingrown toenails

Toenail Dust as a Potential Occupational Hazard in Podiatric Medicine

Spiculectomy and Orthonyxia for Ingrown Toenails

Self-Administered Treatment Kit for Ingrowing Toenail

Terminal Syme amputation in kids for ingrown toenail

Share This Page