From Mike Bomford, Exeter 382173, June 25, 2008

Research has shown that having poorly looked after feet is a major cause of concern for older people. Addressing that issue, Devon County Council, Devon Primary Care Trust, and agencies from the voluntary sector are setting up foot care services across Devon.

Toenails left uncut or untreated can become painful and lead to poorer mobility, lack of confidence, and a greater chance of falling.

The new foot care services are for older people who cannot care for, or possibly even reach, their own feet. If they have no relatives or friends nearby or able to help them, their only option is to pay privately for podiatry, which can be too expensive for many people.

So far services have been set up in Exeter and Mid Devon areas, but a wider spread of services is needed, so the County Council and Primary Care Trust are inviting more voluntary sector organisations to set up services in East Devon, North Devon and West Devon.

Setting up the schemes is funded by the Department of Health, which includes meeting the cost of recruiting volunteers, who are then trained and fully supported by NHS podiatrists.

Trained volunteers will provide straight forward foot care and toe nail cutting. They will also look out for other foot problems which might need more specialist foot care and they have a hotline to an NHS podiatrist who will be able to give instant guidance. A session costs £5.50.

Devon PCT will continue to provide the more specialist foot care services for more complex cases, and they aim to help increase access for straightforward services equally accessible across Devon.

The Exeter foot care service is provided by the Estuary League of Friends. They cover Topsham, Countess Wear, Clyst St Mary, Clyst St George, Ebford and Exton and are hoping to expand the scheme to seven other venues across Exeter, and to introduce home visits to the service as well.

In Mid Devon, the foot care service is provided by the Mid Devon Healthy living Community covering mid Devon.

People in these areas requiring support with their foot care can simply call the services to request appointments. The Exeter service can be contacted on 01392 879009, and the Mid Devon service can be contacted on 01823 681036. Both schemes also help people with their hand care at a cost of £1.50 extra.

Mr Follett of Dunkeswell has been using the Blackdown Support Group service since October 2007. He is visited by a volunteer every six weeks to cut his toe nails. For medical reasons Mr Follett is unable to bend, and he has respiratory problems, so cutting his own toe nails is very difficult. The service was recommended to him by his GP.

"This is a very convenient service," he said. "It enables me to enjoy a better quality of life. Otherwise my option would be to use a more expensive chiropodist. My helper was once a nurse and she provides an excellent service. I would definitely recommend it."

Retired nurse and volunteer for the Blackdown Support Group, Sue Smallwood, said:

"People who have difficulties cutting their own toenails are always very grateful for this service and often say how much more comfortable it is for them when walking once their nails have been done. They often live alone so they also appreciate the opportunity to meet other people and have a chat."

Devon County Council's Executive Member for Adult and Community Services, Cllr Hugo Barton said:

"Something as simple as having your toe nails cut, when you are unable to do it yourself, can make all the difference to a person's quality of life. For many older people, mobility and flexibility becomes difficult for any number of reasons, and therefore an affordable friendly nail cutting service is vital to helping people remain as independent as possible."

Assistant Director for Devon Primary Care Trust and Devon County Council, Neil McNeil, said:

"We are confident that the foot care schemes will be very strongly supported by local people and we are sure they will prevent many older people's feet deteriorating and leading to more serious and complex problems.

"We already have some voluntary groups interested in providing local schemes, but we are encouraging more groups to contact us as soon as possible. Our next training is planned for July.

"We are most keen to support new schemes where the voluntary sector groups want to try to make the whole experience enjoyable, and ideally bring together chances for a chat with the footcare, alongside other enriching social opportunities the person may be enjoying.

"The Government's funding is until April 2009, but based upon the successes of these pilot schemes, we aim to set up more across the county, and that they are sustainable in the longer term."