Expression of Interest for the Delivery of Core Podiatry Services across Derbyshire

Erewash Clinical Commissioning Group (ECCG) on behalf of the 4 Derbyshire CCG’s (Hardwick CCG, North Derbyshire CCG and Southern Derbyshire CCG) would like to inform you of the opportunity to participate in the delivery of Core Podiatry services across Derbyshire. Core Podiatry is defined as ‘the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of common foot pathologies associated with the toenails, soft tissues and the musculoskeletal system with the purpose of sustaining or improving foot health’ (Farndon, 2006). The service will focus on the needs of those individuals with low and medium levels of foot care needs, with potential providers referring on to specialised podiatry and extended scope podiatry as required and further signposting to non-podiatric services where clinically appropriate, e.g. smoking cessation or weight management services. The objectives of the service will be to provide: • Assessment and intervention for those patients with painful foot conditions where this has reduced mobility and independence, • A surgical option for nail pathologies, • Management of foot pain associated with foot function and/or structural abnormalities for common foot and ankle conditions, • Footwear advice and orthotics as part of personalised care plans • Foot health education information and public health information including signposting to services • Equitable access for patients across the geographical region of Derbyshire Integral to the above is: • Provision of falls prevention advice (following local falls prevention pathway and guidance into specialist services where appropriate) and health education. • Adults and children with a podiatric need including iatrogenic conditions without comorbidity, i.e. foot conditions that are a result of health care treatment that do not have direct pathology but do have related lesions elsewhere in the foot. This service is currently commissioned via an Any Qualified Provider (AQP) process. Commissioners have reviewed the current service specification and delivery model and are seeking a more flexible solution to respond to, amongst other things, increasing demand and the implementation of the wider service transformation agenda. The commissioners are currently reviewing Diabetes and MSK pathways which will impact upon podiatry requirements and therefore experience in delivering integrated services would be advantageous. Consequently, commissioners are keen to assess levels of interest from any providers that have the capacity to provide these services under a Single provider, Lead provider, consortium or partnership arrangement, as opposed to an Any Qualified Provider route, to facilitate equitable access across Derbyshire within each of the Derbyshire district areas.