Referral routes
What is podiatry?
Podiatry is the study of foot and lower limb health. Our service aims to promote good foot health to help sustain mobility and reduce pain. NHS Fife Podiatry Service is open to everyone who lives in Fife, who has a podiatric need that we can help with. We maximise mobility by offering treatment and advice that reflect the patient's needs. All our podiatrists are dedicated professionals who are registered with the Health and Care Profession Council (HCPC).
Members of the public can self-refer to the Podiatry Service. You can access an electronic request for assistance form here:
The completed forms are secure and confidential, and will be submitted directly to the service, which will respond within 14 days. If you do not receive a response within this time, you can contact 01592 647199, Monday-Friday, 8am-4:30pm, with your reference number.
If you prefer, you can collect a hard copy of this form from your local clinic, health centre, or GP Practice.
All requests for assistance will be triaged and may lead to signposting to other services, telephone or video consultations, or face to face appointments.
Podiatry Advice Line
Call our Podiatry Advice Line about your foot concern. We are open Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings.
Contact us on 01383 518635.
The service has specialist podiatrists who offer podiatric treatment in the areas of:
- General Podiatry
- Diabetes
- Musculo-skeletal (MSK)
- Learning Disabilities
- Rheumatology
- Children and Young People
- Nail Surgery
We regularly help people with:
- Management of acute foot conditions such as foot ulceration and foot infections
Treatment of ulcers and non-healing wounds
Provision of foot pressure reduction devices to support healing
Prescribing medicine
- Surgical removal of ingrowing toenails
Treatment of ingrowing toenails
Prescribing of antibiotics
Provision of nail surgery
- Management of musculoskeletal foot and ankle conditions such as muscle, tendon, and joint disorders, for example: painful walking, structural problems, arthritis, injuries and pressure areas in the foot.)
Self management advice
Biomechanical assessment
Exercise therapy
Steroid injections
Provision of insoles and orthotics
Other therapies such as shockwave and laser therapy
Podiatry surgery of the foot, working as part of orthopaedic teams
- Offer preventative treatment to prevent hard skin and corns to those people who are at risk of foot ulceration for example:
Reduction of corns and callus
Surgical removal of foot lesions
Insole and orthotic provision and other foot pressure reduction devices.
Footwear - advise
Diabetes foot assessment and care planning
- Circulation and vascular assessment
- Assessment of painful lesions that stopping you from walking , providing an initial treatment
What we don't treat:
- Toe nail cutting
- Fungal skin and nail treatment – can offer advice on medication but not regular treatment.
- Regular corn and hard skin reduction for people who are not at risk of foot ulceration.
- Regular treatment for skin conditions such as athlete’s foot – can provide advice but not regular treatment.
- Verrucae treatment (not painful and less than 2 years).
Toe nail cutting service
Fife Voluntary action provide a toe nail cutting service at an affordable cost in variety of locations across Fife. For more information on how to contact the service please see: Footcare Fife (fva.org)
Accessible formats
If you require this information in a community language or alternative format such as Braille, audio, large print, BSL, or Easy Read, please contact the Equality and Human Rights Team at: email: fife.EqualityandHumanRights@nhs.scot or phone 01592 729130. For people with a hearing or verbal impairment you can also contact the team through the NHS Fife SMS text service number on 07805800005.
You can also find health related information on many topics in an Easy Read format on nhsinform.scot.