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Feet in Crisis: Transforming Foot Health in Cwm Taf Morgannwg

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Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board’s (CTM UHB) Podiatry Services have recently made remarkable strides in improving patient outcomes, reducing waiting times, and enhancing multidisciplinary care. Through a series of innovative projects and dedicated teams, the service is setting new standards in foot health care across the region.

The Cwm Taf Morgannwg Podiatry HOT Clinic Rapid response through Hot Clinics
To prevent deterioration and avoid hospital admissions, CTM UHB introduced Hot Clinics for urgent foot referrals. These clinics, led by the community podiatry team under Helen Newton, Community Team Lead, have dramatically reduced waiting times in Primary Care for urgent diabetic and non-diabetic foot conditions - from an average of 21 days to just 48 hours, aligning with NICE guidance.

The success of this initiative was showcased at the All Wales AHP Conference last November and recognised by the Welsh Government, where the team was shortlisted and highly commended for the Delivering Multi Professional Community Services award. Plans are underway to expand the Hot Clinic model across the entire podiatry service.

Genine Peacock, the first and only podiatrist working in the Hot Clinic, said: “Being so responsive to my patients when the foot is in crisis is a fulfilling experience for me personally.”

“For my patients, being able to access Primary Care Podiatry services for advanced assessment and treatment planning so quickly at a time when they are most at need supports inpatient avoidance enhancing patient outcomes and patient satisfaction”.

One patient summed it up: “The Podiatry team (Hot Clinic) have given me life back.”

Inpatient Podiatry Service: A VBHC-Funded Success
Since April 2023, CTM UHB has run a Value-Based Health Care (VBHC) funded inpatient podiatry service for acute diabetic foot admissions at the Royal Glamorgan Hospital (RGH). Led by Gaynor Slocombe, Clinical Lead for the At Risk Foot, and Jess Rees, Inpatient Advanced Podiatry Coordinator, during the first two years the project has seen:

  • A 97% response rate to inpatient referrals within one working day (up from 63%) which can potentially lead to a shorter hospital stay for these patients.
  • Increased awareness and referrals across hospital sites.
  • On-call support during working hours for urgent diabetic foot problems, helping avoid unnecessary admissions and ensuring timely care.
  • The implementation of training and education sessions for inpatient teams on diabetic foot risk awareness, highlighting the importance of appropriate diabetic foot risk management and the importance of prompt referral.

A Chat with Jess Rees Jess Rees The project has earned accolades across the board, including:

  • Second place poster at CTM UHB Quality Improvement events (2023)
  • A feature on the Talking Feet podcast by the English Diabetic Foot Network
  • Shortlisting in the NHS Wales Awards 2024 (Timely Care category)
  • Ongoing development as part of the Bevan Commission Exemplar Programme 2025

With extended funding, the service will expand to the Prince Charles Hospital (PCH) and the Princess of Wales Hospital (POW), ensuring equal access across the health board.

Multidisciplinary Vascular Clinics: Tackling Peripheral Arterial Disease
A new weekly clinic at Dewi Sant Hospital, developed in collaboration with podiatry and vascular surgery, is transforming care for patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and tissue loss.

Before the clinic’s launch, urgent referrals could take up to 7 months to be reviewed. Now, patients are seen within a median of 11 days, with 64% seen within 14 working days. The clinic ensures:

  • Timely triage and imaging
  • Surgical interventions where needed
  • Medication advice at every encounter
  • Multidisciplinary team review for all referrals

We are now looking at using this approach in other locations, including Keir Hardie Health Park.

Rachel Hyde, Specialist Podiatrist, said: “PAD affects 1 in 5 people over 60 in the UK and carries serious risks. Our clinic ensures patients receive holistic, timely care when they need it most.”

29/09/2025