Priority 24 from the Foot Health PSP

UNCERTAINTY:Is there equal access to foot care across the National Health Service (UK) and Health Service Executive (Republic of Ireland)? And what would make access unequal?  (JLA PSP Priority 24)
Overall ranking 24
JLA question ID 0092/24
Explanatory note For many people there is the perception that a 'post-code lottery' exists in relation to access to Foot health /Podiatry services in the NHS across the UK.Currently there is no evidence that provides a comprehensive picture about patient access to NHS Poditary services across the UK. Research is needed in order to establish what the access priorities are for foot health services in the NHS. This should be across all areas and NHS trusts/HSE in the UK/RoI, in order to understand the geographical picture of access and make comparisions between each country within the UK and each Trust across UK/RoI counties. This will enable NHS trusts to recognise those areas where foot health provision is lacking, unpick why access is not equal to other areas and plan for improved service development. 
Evidence

No evidence from systematic review found 
Health Research Classification System category Generic health relevance 
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples Is there equitable access to nhs Podiatry for all across the uk ~ Why is there inequality in foot care services across the country? ~ What measures are in place to record and monitor this [equitable access to the NHS]?
Submitted by Healthcare Professional x 4, Patient x 5
PSP information
PSP unique ID 0092
PSP name Foot Health
Total number of uncertainties identified by this PSP. 30  (To see a full list of all uncertainties identified, please see the detailed spreadsheet held on the JLA website)
Date of priority setting workshop 26 September 2019