Priority 27 from the Foot Health PSP

UNCERTAINTY: How do people currently access foot health services for the FIRST TIME, via the National Health Service/Public foot health services? (JLA PSP Priority 27)
Overall ranking 27
JLA question ID 0092/27
Explanatory note This researchable question was underpinned by raw uncertatinties by people with foot problems and by practitioners, equally. Understanding how to access foot health services by people who have foot problems is a significant concern for both patients and health care practitioners alike. There is no current research to show the ways by which people can/should gain access to NHS or Public foot health services across the UK/RoI, there appears to be a lack of awareness about how people with foot problems can access the right foot health services. Early  access to foot health services /interventions was cited as an important factor in reducing foot problem deterioration, therefore it's important to understand how people perceive the ways by which they can currently access foot health services, in order to address issues with awareness and improve access to services for the future.      
Evidence

No evidence from systematic review found 
Health Research Classification System category Generic health relevance 
Extra information provided by this PSP
Original uncertainty examples Why can’t people self-refer into NHS Podiatry for quicker assessment and diagnosis? ~ How can people access the correct HCP at the correct time? ~ From the persons perspective, how are problems with feet flagged up as a health problem or just something to put up with. ~ I cannot reach my feet nor see the bottom. NHS podiatry said they were not allowed to cut nails. How can problems be assessed and diagnosed if nhs staff won't look at my feet occasionally? 
Submitted by Healthcare Professional x 20, Patient x 21, Other x 1
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