Podiatry sits inside that wider community-care picture, and the pressure is not just about routine footcare. Delays can affect mobility, pain levels, independence, work, exercise and the ability to stay active. NHS England has also stressed that timely access to community services helps reduce pressure on elective care and urgent and emergency care, while supporting the wider shift from hospital to community-based care.

“The 2026 NHS podiatry crisis is not just about staffing shortages, it’s a wake-up call for proactive planning to protect patient wellbeing and the sustainability of care.”

Why are NHS podiatry waiting times under so much pressure?

The pressure on podiatry is part of a wider strain across community health services. NHS England’s latest planning guidance makes clear that community waits are now being measured much more closely, with a national ambition for 80% of waits to be below 18 weeks by the end of 2028/29 and a specific Year 1 objective for 2026/27. It also states that systems should have clear plans to eliminate waits longer than 52 weeks.

There is also good evidence that podiatry is a significant part of overall adult community demand. Nuffield Trust analysis of community waiting-list data found that 13% of adults on the community waiting list were waiting for podiatry services, with musculoskeletal services accounting for the largest share overall at 44%. That helps explain why delays in foot health are not a niche issue. They sit inside a much bigger access problem affecting everyday mobility and function.

Workforce pressure is another part of the picture. The Royal College of Podiatry has reported that recruitment remains a major challenge, reflecting wider shortages across both the NHS and independent practice. Its 2025 independent-practice findings also showed high demand, barriers to collaboration between sectors, and low public awareness of what podiatrists can actually help with.

Why delays in podiatry matter more than many people realise

When people think about podiatry, they often think only of nails, corns or routine maintenance. In practice, foot health can affect balance, pain, gait, activity levels and independence. A problem that starts in the foot can alter the way you walk, which can then contribute to strain elsewhere.

Delays can be especially frustrating because many foot conditions are easier to manage earlier. The longer pain, pressure, altered gait or inflammation continue, the more likely it is that the problem begins affecting work, exercise and general wellbeing. That does not mean every issue becomes serious, but it does mean waiting is not always neutral.

This is why a more proactive approach matters. People often benefit from early assessment, clear advice, and treatment before the problem becomes more complex or starts affecting other areas.

What does a “Proactive Blueprint” actually mean?

A proactive blueprint is not about bypassing the NHS or creating unnecessary alarm. It is about responding early, sensibly and practically when foot problems begin to interfere with daily life.

In our view, a proactive blueprint has five parts:

1. Early recognition

Do not ignore persistent foot pain, recurring skin problems, ingrown nails, heel pain, verrucae or changes in how you walk.

2. Prompt assessment

A proper consultation can help identify whether the issue is routine, mechanical, dermatological, inflammatory or linked to wider movement patterns.

3. Targeted treatment

The right treatment depends on the cause. A thorough podiatry assessment should look closely at the issue, identify likely contributing factors and guide the most appropriate form of treatment. That may include nail care, corn and hard-skin removal, cracked-heel treatment, verruca care or advice tailored to the individual problem.

4. Education and prevention

Footcare is not just about a one-off appointment. Advice on footwear, skin care, nail care, pressure reduction and recurrence prevention often matters just as much.

5. Joined-up thinking

Foot pain does not always exist in isolation. For some patients, wider input from physiotherapy, osteopathy or soft-tissue treatment may also be relevant depending on how the issue is affecting movement and comfort.

Which patients are most affected by longer waiting times?

Longer NHS podiatry waiting times can affect a wide range of people, but some groups are likely to feel the impact more quickly.

This often includes:

• people whose work keeps them on their feet

• older adults trying to maintain mobility and independence

• active people whose training is limited by foot pain

• patients with recurring skin or nail issues

• people whose gait changes are beginning to affect the knees, hips or back

For these patients, a delay is not always just an inconvenience. It can mean living with discomfort for longer, adapting activity levels unnecessarily, or allowing a manageable issue to become harder to deal with.

Why independent podiatry has an important role to play

The Royal College of Podiatry has explicitly called for better collaboration between the NHS and independent practice, noting that referral barriers can delay care and that independent services are sometimes undervalued despite meeting high demand for routine footcare and offering broader specialist support.

That matters because independent podiatry can play a practical role in the wider system. It can give patients faster access to assessment, advice and treatment where appropriate, while helping people avoid letting symptoms drift on for months.

Signs it is time to be more proactive about foot health

A proactive response is usually worth considering if you have:

• foot pain that is not settling

• a recurring ingrown toenail

• persistent hard skin or corns

• cracked heels that are painful or worsening

• a verruca that is not improving

• changes in how you walk because of discomfort

• symptoms that are starting to limit work, exercise or everyday activity

None of these automatically mean an emergency, but they are all good reasons not to leave the issue unresolved for too long.

What a proactive podiatry appointment should give you

A good podiatry appointment should do more than deal with the symptom in front of you. It should help you understand what is causing the problem, what treatment is appropriate, and what you can do to reduce the chance of it returning.

At Proactive Wellbeing, routine podiatry starts with a full consultation, followed by treatment tailored to the issue. During appointments, our podiatrists can trim and thin nails, remove ingrowing toenails, remove hard skin and corns, treat cracked heels, smooth down skin and offer advice on general footcare. We also provide verruca treatment using acid, cryotherapy or Falknor’s needling method, depending on suitability.

That kind of early, structured intervention is exactly what a proactive blueprint looks like in practice.

Final thoughts

Calling it a “crisis” reflects a real concern, but the more useful takeaway is this: foot-health delays matter, and a passive approach often makes things harder than they need to be. NHS England’s focus on reducing community waits, together with evidence of significant podiatry demand and workforce pressure, shows why NHS podiatry waiting times deserve more attention than they often get.

The positive side is that people are not powerless while wider systems work to improve. A proactive blueprint means noticing problems sooner, seeking assessment earlier, and getting the right treatment and advice before a smaller issue turns into a bigger one.

If foot pain, nail problems, hard skin, verrucae or recurring discomfort are affecting your daily life, contact Proactive Wellbeing to arrange an appointment with our podiatry team. We are based in Strood, Rochester, and support clients from across Kent with specialist care aimed at helping you move more comfortably and confidently.

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• Sitting with your feet up for 10 minutes after a long day helps circulation – you can do this whilst watching TV.

• To refresh feet, massage gently with a foot roller, or better still, ask you partner to massage your feet.

• Calf stretches help to keep feet supple and keep a good range of movement. To stretch your calf and heel, stand facing a wall with feet hip width apart and slightly bent at the knee. Take one step forwards, and using your arms to lean against the wall, keep your leg in front bent and the leg behind straight. Both feet should be flat on the ground. Lean in towards the wall, as you do, you should feel your muscles stretching in your calf and heel. Hold and slowly return to a standing position. Do this with each leg about five times. Seek further help if you experience problems doing this exercise.

• Circle your ankles ten times in each direction, keeping your leg as still as possible.

• Consciously straighten your toes and wriggle them around. Raise, point, then curl your toes for five seconds each, repeated ten times – this is particularly good for toe cramps or hammer toes.

• Following a daily routine to keep your feet clean and free from infection will help prevent potential foot problems.

• Wash your feet every day in warm soapy water (don’t soak them, as this might destroy the natural oils) and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.

• If you can see and reach your feet cut toenails after a bath when they are softer. Trim your toe nails regularly, using proper nail clippers. Cut straight across, not too short, and not down at the corners as this can lead to in-growing nails. File them, if that is easier.

• Any minor cuts or abrasions should be covered with a clean dry dressing, and blisters should be left to dry out on their own. If they burst, apply a clean dry dressing, but do not burst them yourself.

• Seek professional treatment if they do not heal quickly. Wounds (sometimes called ulcers) should be assessed and treated as a matter of urgency within 24hours, especially if there is redness or swelling around the area, or were you have previously been warned to seek immediate attention.

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As a parent you will know that there can be longer periods when there is no obvious sign of growth and then suddenly a growth spurt when arms and legs are sticking out of jumpers and jeans and their toes are rammed up against the end of their shoes.

The best place to get children’s feet measured is a reputable shoe shop where the staff are properly trained – remember it’s not just the length of the shoe but the width as well.

Of course it’s not just school shoes that need to fit but trainers, football boots, ballet shoes and any other specialist shoes that your child may need for sport or leisure.

Always listen to your children if they complain of painful feet and if you notice their gait is awkward take them to a podiatrist to get checked out who will carry out a thorough examination and ensure their posture is correct.

Here are some tips for keeping an eye on your child’s foot health:

Skin: look for areas of redness and rashes particularly between the toes, in the arches and below the ankle bones indicating athlete’s foot, particularly if they are itchy (always allow shoes shoe to dry out, as children’s feet can be sweaty. Wearing damp shoes all the time can make the child more prone to athlete’s foot and verrucae).

Look for red marks and/or blisters at the back of the heel and on the tops of the small joints of the toes indicating ill-fitting shoes. Raised and painful hard masses on the soles of the feet may indicate a verruca.

Nails : any inflammation around the nails should be taken seriously as it may indicate infection. Any discolouration of the toenails should be checked by your podiatrist.

Deformities: Toes should always be straight in line with the foot and not drawn back or curled. The fifth toe may tuck under the fourth slightly and the fourth under the third toe but the big toe should also be straight.

Posture: If the feet appear to be excessively turned in or out or the arch looks very flat, particularly if the child complains of pain, the advice of your registered podiatrist should be sought.

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As your bump grows you may not only lose sight of your feet but also be unable to reach them! As your baby grows there is greater pressure in the pelvis which can cause your legs to feel heavy and achy and sometimes a throbbing pain.

But it’s all worth it in the end especially if you help yourself to keep your feet healthy:

Top Tips

• Raise your feet and legs up whenever you can and do daily leg and calf stretches. Whenever you sit down for a cuppa, raise your legs so your feet are above your heart (lying on the sofa with your feet piled up on cushions is nice and comfy and as your bump grows you have a handy built-in shelf!)

• Wear comfortable, supportive footwear – ideally with a strap, laces, or Velcro.  OK, so these may not be the most fashionable but wearing high heels can place unnecessary pressure on your joints at a time when they are already under strain as well as being unstable. Remember everyone will be cooing over your bump rather than admiring your footwear!

• Ideally choose a heel height of 3cm as this shifts your weight a little further forward on your feet which can help alleviate discomfort.

• Don’t cross your legs or ankles when sitting

• Keep active – keep the lower limbs moving even when resting. Prevent cramps from occurring by boosting circulation – try rotating your ankles ten times to the left and ten times to the right, and repeating. Before you start an exercise programme, check with your midwife or GP but generally keeping active is enormously beneficial for you.

• If you experience arch pain visit a podiatrist who, if necessary, will be able to provide special inserts for your shoes to help treat the problem. These may be temporary and can give a great deal of relief.

• If swelling becomes a problem consider wearing surgical stockings – with advice from your midwife, GP or health professional

What to look out for when buying footwear during pregnancy:

• Feet tend to swell during the day, so buy shoes later in the afternoon when your feet are at their largest.

• Try on both shoes and walk around the shop to check if they pinch or rub

• Make sure there is 1cm between the longest toe and the end of the shoe

• Keep heel heights to about 3cm

• Choose a shoe with a strap to keep it firmly on your foot, avoiding fiddly straps which are difficult to do up – especially in the final trimester of your pregnancy!

• Choose shoes with a toe box that is high enough and wide enough to comfortably fit, either rounded or square shaped, not pointed

• Don’t rush when you’re buying shoes (even when you’ve spotted the ultimate sales bargain!) – take your time and check they fit you properly

• Choose supportive footwear with extra shock absorption, a supportive arch and firm heel.

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Podiatric Acupuncture is the use of acupuncture as a therapeutic tool, by podiatrists, to treat problems of the lower limbs. Acupuncture needles are placed along specific pathways or meridians at acupoints, or at trigger points. The needles stimulate the release of natural painkillers which helps to relieve the discomfort associated with painful conditions. Acupuncture is used to treat many foot problems, but is particularly useful for pain. It can help with painful joints and is also used to treat problems such as arthritis of the knee, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, Morton’s neuroma and forefoot pain. Acupuncture can be effective as the only treatment used, but is frequently used in conjunction with other podiatry treatments.

Acupuncture is effective for the following:

Leg/other – Ankle and knee instability, Osteoarthritis/ wear and tear of the knee, shin splints, tibialis muscle syndromes, restless leg syndrome, intermittent claudication, cramps, scar pain, arthritis, aching feet with no other symptoms, post fracture pain.

Feet – Achilles tendonitis, acute and chronic ankle pain, plantar fasciitis, heel pain, first metatarsal pain, metatarsalgia, mortons neuroma, digital neuritis.

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The five warning signs parents should watch out for

1: Your Children Can’t Keep Up with Their Peers

If Children lag behind in sports, it may be because their feet and legs are very tired. Fatigue is common when children have flat feet. The muscles in the feet and legs tire easily because the feet are not functioning as well as they should.

2: Children Voluntarily Withdraw from Activities they Usually Enjoy

If they are reluctanct to particpate in activities, it may be due to heel pain – a problem often seen in children between the ages of  8 and 14. Repetitive stress from sports may cause muscle strain and inflammation of the growth plate, a weak area at the back of your child’s heel.

3:They Don’t Want to Show You Their Feet.

Children may feel pain or notice a change in the appearance of their feet or nails but don’t tell their parents because they fear a trip to the doctor’s. Make a habit of inspecting your child’s feet starting at a young age. Look for any changes such as calluses, growths, skin discolouration, or redness or swelling around the toenails.

4: Your Child Often Trips and Falls

Repeated clumsiness may be a sign of intoeing, balance problems or neuromuscular conditions.

5: The Child Complains of Pain

It is never normal for a child to have foot pain. Injuries may seem minor, but if pain or swelling last more than a few days, have your child’s foot examined.

If you have noticed any of these signs in your children, call: 01634 54 00 53 for an assessment or conveniently email us to request an appointment:

info@kentfeet.co.uk

www.kentfeet.co.uk

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Jay Lall said: “Being overweight and obese, places increased pressure on your feet, ankles and lower limbs, which makes you more likely to experience arthritis, foot pain and skin problems on the feet. It can also create a debilitating cycle where people put on weight and then find it difficult to stay mobile and exercise, which can result in even further weight gain and make it harder to lose weight and regain good health. As a podiatrist I want to help people address and overcome any foot problems and pain they are experiencing so that they can stay as mobile as possible and experience a better quality of life. If you do experience painful feet on a regular basis, please don’t ignore it, there is nearly always something that can be done to help.”

Key foot problems associated with obesity:

• Changes in the size of your feet – being overweight can cause feet to ‘splay’ and become wider and the arch of the foot flatter. This is particularly evident in childhood. When you are young the bones in your body haven’t hardened so if a child is overweight the arch of the foot can flatten and cause a change in the whole structure of the foot. It is vital to wear a comfortable, well-fitting shoe. For those who do have wide feet it can be more challenging to find a shoe that fits, but there are increasing numbers of footwear brands which are offering wider fittings. Don’t try to squeeze your feet into narrow shoes which rub or pinch.

• Gout – gout is a type of arthritis, it is caused by a build-up of uric acid in the blood. Uric acid is a natural daily by-product made in the body when it breaks down chemicals in cells known as purines. It is usually excreted through the kidneys, but it can build up and form crystals in the joints which cause the pain and inflammation associated with gout. It can also cause progressive damage to joints. Common symptoms include severe pain and inflammation in one or two joints; it usually affects the base of the big toe. Being overweight or obese increases your risk of developing gout.

• Osteoarthritis – osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is caused by stress to the cartilage in the joints which can result from injury or general wear and tear. Being overweight places increased pressure on the joints, particularly on your feet, which increases your chances of developing osteoarthritis. Symptoms include stiffness, pain and inflammation.

• Type 2 Diabetes – being overweight makes you more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes, a condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin to function properly, or the body’s cells become insulin resistant. Diabetes can have a significant impact on your feet. It can result in nerve damage (neuropathy), where you lose the ability to feel certain sensations in the feet such as heat or pain, It can cause poor blood supply, which reduces the skin’s ability to repair when damaged, and it can also alter the body’s ability to fight infection. All of these factors can mean the feet are at a much greater risk of becoming infected and it is vital to check your feet regularly and go for regular foot checks with a podiatrist, GP or practice nurse.

• Foot pain – being overweight causes a disturbance in the way you walk which can contribute to foot pain. The bones, muscles and tendons in your feet are not designed to carry excess weight so this puts strain on the foot which can result in tenderness, swelling and pain. All of the above conditions can cause foot pain, but other common problems associated with obesity which cause foot pain are:

• Posterior tibial tendonitis – pain in the tendon that runs along the inside of the ankle and the foot
• Plantar fasciitis – an inflammation in the thick ligamentous connective tissue that runs from the heel to the ball of the foot
• Hindfoot arthritis – an inflammation in the back part of the foot.

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