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Shoes on the NHS?
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Not sure if any of you will know about this, but I thought it was worth asking. My Mum has severe trouble with her feet, ankles and lower legs and has done since she was about 20... she is in her 60s now! She has lymphoedema in both legs/feet, but it is a lot worse in the left leg. As a result, her size 4 feet are hugely swollen and do not fit in to normal shoes. Even extra wide shoes won't fit her without cramming her feet in and being very uncomfortable, as well as painful and horrible for her feet (she does this now). Her left foot especially is quite large - although the actual length is not far off a normal size four, but the width and depth is a lot larger, as if someone has inflated her foot width and depth ways. She goes to quite a bad doctors (they have never been very helpful) and she's also quite embarassed about her feet and lower legs and doesn't really want to make a fuss. I recently heard about having shoes made especially for your feet - but after looking in to this, I realised it was far too expensive (300 and upwards, probably a lot more as her feet are totally different sizes and would require two different shoes). I was wondering whether anyone knew about being able to have shoes made on the NHS? Is this possible? She has a chronic condition (it's not something that is going to disappear) and cannot buy shoes on the high street, so I figure there *should* be provisions for this. If it is possible, does anyone know how to go about this (I assume you just see a doctor?) and whether there is a good range of shoes available? She is quite adamant that she doesn't want any shoes that look really odd or clumpy - I think she just wants a pair of normal shoes which fit her. Any advice or suggestions would be really helpful.
Hi Okey, I don't have specific details but yes, you can get special shoes on the NHS. I work with older adults with long term conditions and I remember a guy recently who had shoes made. I *think* he got them through the podiatrist he was referred to by his consultant though. I'm not sure your GP will be much good but they could ask for a referral if she isn't already involved in secondary care. I would definitely push. But, and it's totally rubbish, they might not look very good :cmdunno:
i'd try get her to another doctors... i don't know for definate but i overheard some women talking on the train the other day about how one of them's husband had to take all his shoes to the hospital to have the soles rounded off or something because he had soemthing wrong with his back... so i would think so! eta: i remember one of the kids i taught gymnatics to always walked on her tip toes because there was something wrong with her legs.. and they got shoes from the hospital too...
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But, and it's totally rubbish, they might not look very good :cmdunno:
Sorry if I'm being thick (
!) but do you mean they are quite horrible shoes?! I don't expect them to do any funky ones or anything, it's a shame if they all have to be really clumpy and large though - I think I'd have trouble getting my Mum to have a pair (she's quite a trendy one, is my Mum!). Just a nice pair of plain shoes or boots would be nice! Thank you too urgle - do you remember if the girl you knew had decent shoes, or were they also horrible?! I'm not being unappreciative if my Mum can get them on the NHS, that's great, but I don't want to make her do it if she is going to refuse to have a pair because they're so horrible looking!
from what i remember they looked like kidna chunky start-rite kids' school shoes... nothing fantastic but not too bad...
Im pretty sure my grandad got his soes on the NHS. He has 1 leg shorter then the other so 1 shoe has to have a thicker sole. His shoes look like the kind he would wear if he went to shops & got them himself
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Sorry if I'm being thick ( !) but do you mean they are quite horrible shoes?! I don't expect them to do any funky ones or anything, it's a shame if they all have to be really clumpy and large though - I think I'd have trouble getting my Mum to have a pair (she's quite a trendy one, is my Mum!). Just a nice pair of plain shoes or boots would be nice!
Yes I'm afraid that's what I mean. The shoe thing is a big problem...a lot of older people really value looking after their appearance and older women want nice looking shoes (and why not!). A colleague's done some research on ageing and appearance and he found women who wouldn't adapt their footwear because they didn't like the look of more 'sensible' shoes, to the extent that they might not leave the house because of foot pain :cmdunno: BUT I'm sure this is starting to change. Some things are already improving--you can get some really fab walking stick designs for example. I would still try and get a referral and then make whoever you see aware of the issue early on. eta I think this is less of a problem for older men tbh. The guy I interviewed was chuffed with his!
!) but do you mean they are quite horrible shoes?! I don't expect them to do any funky ones or anything, it's a shame if they all have to be really clumpy and large though - I think I'd have trouble getting my Mum to have a pair (she's quite a trendy one, is my Mum!). Just a nice pair of plain shoes or boots would be nice! Quoted:
Im pretty sure my grandad got his soes on the NHS. He has 1 leg shorter then the other so 1 shoe has to have a thicker sole. His shoes look like the kind he would wear if he went to shops & got them himself
Ooh sounds promising thanks! I spoke to my Mum last night and told her what you all said and she said she'd look in to it - but I get the feeling I might have to 'encourage' her a bit more. I don't think there's a chance of changing doctors - both parents have been at the same doctors for about 20 years and it's the closest one - they're getting to an age where anything different is considered a mither and they can't be bothered. Unfortunately I don't live anywhere near them so won't be able to do much but I'll try and urge her to get her doctor to look in to this properly and refer her. Really chuffed I got responses though - thought it was a bit of a stab in the dark. Thank you all very much 
Hi okey dokey I used to be a care worker & one of the people I worked with had wide feet and experienced problems getting shoes to fit from high street shoe shops. He was referred to a shoe clinic at the local city hospital. I used to take him along from time to time when they needed replacing. From what I remember, the referral was done via a GP & the shoes didn't look too bad. Hope your Mum manages to get something sorted out. chooks:)
Hi there ! The Department that deals with making Shoes and 'appliances' in the NHS is called Orthotics , adults are eligible for 2 pairs of shoes annually - obviously once their needs have been assessed and agreed by a trained Podiatrist / Chiropodist Orthotist person. She will need a GP or Chiropody referral so I would urge your mum to put pressure on the GP to do this for them - if this causes problems for the GP then she will need to speak to PALS (Patient ADvice & Liaison) at her local PCT. As your parents get older their need for their GP services may increase so I would suggest they find a newer more sensitive practice that will better provide for their needs sooner rather than later . GT x 
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