Changes to access criteria June 2026

Overview

We have updated the access criteria for Podiatry Services across Redbridge and Waltham Forest. These changes ensure the service is prioritised for patients with the highest clinical need, in line with national guidance and current capacity.

Key changes at a glance

• Revised referral criteria now in place
• Referrals outside criteria will not be accepted
• Existing patients who do not meet the new criteria will be discharged from the service.
• Patients will be provided with advice and alternative service options.

Revised Access Criteria

Referrals will only be accepted for:

• Active diabetic foot disease (NICE NG19)
  Excluding patients requiring urgent A&E care.
  
• Diabetics whose foot screening assesses them to be High Risk of foot ulceration (NG19) 
• Non-diabetic foot ulceration requiring debridement
  Excluding pressure ulcers and ulcers at the ankle or above.
  
• History of foot ulceration (non-diabetic)
  with poor skin integrity and considerable risk of re-ulceration
  
• Nail surgery (age 8+)
  where the nail is causing infection or significant pain.
  
• MSK / Biomechanics conditions
  (Paediatrics included)
  Excludes children who are not yet independently mobile or newly walking
  

All podiatrists within the department are trained to BSc(Hons) podiatry level or equivalent and are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

All referrals are triaged for eligibility to the service, please note the access criteria for this service changed in June 2026. Please see information above for more details.

Following an in-depth assessment, the podiatrist works with the patient to put together an individualised care plan to support their recovery.

Treatment is provided in the community or hospital setting. Where the patient is deemed totally housebound, a home visit may be arranged.

Contact our service in Waltham Forest

Patient Information

Our clinics are based at the following sites:

Chingford Health Centre
109 York Road
Chingford
E4 8LF

Comely Bank Health Centre
46 Ravenswood Road
Walthamstow
E17 9LY

Langthorne Health Centre
13 Langthorne Road
Leytonstone
E11 4HX

Acute diabetic foot ulcers only

Gillian Hanson Diabetic Centre
Whipps Cross Hospital
Whipps Cross Road
Leytonstone
E11 1NR

Contact our service

Email: PodiatryRBWF@nelft.nhs.uk
Tel: 0300 300 1722

Referrals

GP Referrals (EMIS Practices)

If you are a GP using EMIS, please submit all new routine referrals to this service via Elemental. This is now the standard referral route into NELFT for EMIS practices and replaces the previous email-based process.

Urgent referrals: If you need to make an urgent referral, please continue to use the existing urgent referral pathways and contact the service directly where required. Elemental should not be used for urgent referrals.

This change applies to GP practices using EMIS. Alternative referral routes remain available for practices using other clinical systems.

Other referrals should be made by healthcare professionals, via Elemental where possible, using the agreed referral template to the right-hand side of the page.

• Please arrive on time for your appointment. If you arrive more than 10 minutes late, you may not be seen.
• If you are unable to attend, please contact us so your appointment can be offered to another patient.
• Missed appointments may result in discharge from the service.
  If we have no contact for 6 months, your referral will be discharged and a new referral will be required.