For Patients and Visitors
What is the Service?
The Foot Procedure Unit provides treatment for individuals with complex wounds affecting the feet and active Charcot foot. Treatment is provided by Podiatrists, Orthotists, a Clinical Nurse Consultant, and a Consultant Geriatrician. The Foot Procedure Unit also consults closely with other departments within The Northern Hospital including, but not limited to: Orthopaedics, Vascular, Plastics, Endocrine and infectious diseases. The Foot Procedure unit operates five days a week from the Epping campus, as well as weekly clinics at both Broadmeadows Health Service (Thursdays) and Craigieburn Centre (Wednesdays)
What can I expect from the service?
Individuals can expect to receive clinic based appointments with a Podiatrist, Orthotist, Clinical Nurse Consultant, and a Consultant Geriatrician who will be involved in the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of their complex wound or an active Charcot foot. Individuals may invite a family member or carer to be there too to help answer any questions. Individuals will also receive ongoing written and verbal correspondence to their referrer and GP regarding their individual foot health needs. In addition, Northern Health patients have access to the provision of Interpreter Service.
What do I bring/need for my appointment?
- Medicare card
- Glasses/Hearing aids
- An accurate list of medications
- Relevant blood test results/Imaging results (X-Ray/MRI)
- The name and clinic address of your GP
- Current footwear
Contact us
The Northern Hospital
Foot Procedure Unit
Phone: 8405 8017
Email:fpu@nh.org.au
To enquire about your referral: 9495 3443 or 1300128539
For Health Professionals
Service Overview
The Foot Procedure Unit employs an interdisciplinary approach for the treatment of complex wounds affecting the feet and active Charcot’s neuroarthropathy. Treatment is provided by a Podiatrist, Orthotist, Clinical Nurse Consultant, and a Consultant Geriatrician. The Foot Procedure Unit also consults closely with other departments within The Northern Hospital including, but not limited to: Vascular, Orthopaedics, Endocrine and Infectious Diseases.
Clinics operate Monday to Friday from the Epping Campus, on Thursdays at Broadmeadows and Wednesdays at Craigieburn Centre.
Inclusion criteria:
- Diagnosis of Active Charcot’s Neuroarthropathy
- Active ulceration on the foot in a person with diabetes with relevant radiology and pathology.
- Active ulceration on the foot in a person with comorbidities that impact the healing of the foot ulcer with relevant radiology and pathology.
- Acute ingrown toenails (onychocryptosis) considering surgery.
- Hospital admission in the last 12 months, risk of representation
Exclusion criteria:
- Patients with no active foot ulceration.
- Non-Active Charcot’s Neuroarthropathy where the patient already receives podiatry/orthotic services for the management of deformity.
How to Refer:
Internal Referrals:
Refer via the referral tab in CPF.
For all internal referral enquiries, email: Community.Access.Helpdesk@nh.org.au or Phone: 03 9495 3443
External Referrals:
Please forward all referrals to Community Access Service via fax: 8405-8616
Following receipt of referral, referrals are processed within three business days.
Processing involves checking eligibility; ensuring referral contains all required information and determining the priority status of the referral. The referrer will be contacted regarding referrals that have insufficient content.
For general referral enquiries
Email: Community.Access.Helpdesk@nh.org.au
Phone: 9495 3443 or 1300128539
Referral must include:
Minimum requirement for all referrals is that they are ISBAR compliant.
Referral must include:
- Past medical history
- Medication history
- Functional status and social situation
- Current community services/supports involved
- Consent to refer to Foot Procedure Unit
Alternative service options:
Northern Health
- Community Therapy Services (CTS)
- Commonwealth Home Support Program (HACC CHSP)
- Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP)
- Sub-acute Ambulatory Care Service (SACS)
- My Aged Care
- NDIS
External services
- Community Health Podiatry
- Private Podiatry Practices
Director/Head of Unit:
Stephen Tucker
Associate Director Allied Health: Podiatry & Orthotics
Phone: 0438 332 749
Email: Stephen.tucker@nh.org.au
Enquiries:
The Northern Hospital
Foot Procedure Unit
Phone: 8405 8017
Email: FPU@nh.org.au
