Podiatry
Where to find this service
What we do
Podiatry focuses on treating medical and surgical conditions of the feet and lower legs. Our team of podiatrists work with patients to improve their foot health and mobility through:
- prevention
- diagnosis
- treatment
- rehabilitation.
We’re here to help with:
- preventing falls
- preventing pressure injuries
- managing foot conditions, such as ulcers and infections
- improving wound healing.
Our Podiatry Department sees inpatients at Footscray Hospital, Sunshine Hospital, Williamstown Hospital, Bacchus Marsh Community Health Centre, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre and Melton Health and Community Services.
Our podiatrists can provide the following assessments:
- checking blood flow and sensation to determine if you are at risk of foot ulceration
- checking how you walk and recommend custom or prefabricated foot orthoses
- annual diabetes foot assessments
- wound management for the treatment of foot ulceration
- children’s feet assessments
- gait analysis.
If needed, nail surgery can be performed on ingrown toenails. The podiatry team also recommend and fit medical grade footwear.
We also provide care at our outpatient clinic at Sunshine Hospital for people who aren’t currently in hospital.
Services
Our Podiatry team works across several areas of subacute and aged care to improve patients’ health and help them with their goals. This includes assessment and treatment of patients during an admission and in outpatient clinics afterwards.
Specialised Rehabilitation Program
Specialised Rehabilitation Program (SRP) provides an individualised, short-term therapy program that focuses on your personal goals. You may receive:
- individual therapy
- group therapy
- a home therapy program.
Learn more about the Specialised Rehabilitation Program.
Diabetes Foot Service
The Diabetes Foot Service (DFS) is a specialist service for people needing treatment and management support of chronic foot wounds and/or amputations due to diabetes. The DFS is located at Footscray Hospital and provides both inpatient and outpatient services.
Patients are treated by a mix of specialists, including:
- endocrinologists
- vascular surgeons
- infectious disease physicians
- podiatrists
- orthotists
- prosthetists
- rehabilitation specialists
- orthopaedic surgeons
- diabetes educators.
Learn more about our Diabetes Foot Service.
Quality and research
The Podiatry Department is committed to providing the highest standard of care through evidence-based practices and ongoing professional development. We are constantly working to improve the quality of care we provide and actively participate in research and quality improvement projects.
Current areas of focus include:
- interdisciplinary foot wound management in the hospital setting
- the impact of diabetes foot disease on people's lifestyles
- the best way to take pressure off a wound to improve healing
- trends noted across time for patients who come to hospital with a diabetes-related foot ulcer.
Referrals
We accept outpatient referrals from other Western Health services. We do not accept referrals from GPs, except for the Diabetes Foot Service.
Referrals to the Diabetes Foot Service are accepted from GPs, specialists, health professionals and the Community Nursing Services.
Contact us
Phone: (03) 8345 6922 (Monday to Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm)
Phone (Melton Health, Bacchus Marsh Community Health, Caroline Springs Community Health Centre): (03) 9747 7609. Please use this number if you are also an NDIS Participant.
Service Manager Mobile: 0466 487 727
Email: [email protected]
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