Diabetes foot specialist - recommendations?

Peig Sayers

My elderly mother has type 2 diabetes. She gets a check up every 2 years in St. James. She got a letter a few days ago to say that her appointment due to take place next month has been cancelled. She rang them to find out and was told it would be re-scheduled but no idea when.

While my mother manages her diabetes very well, her feet are now starting to give her problems. She is very active for 85, loves to get into town every day for a mooch but for the past two weeks has been unable to do so because of her feet problem. She says she feels like she is being pushed from behind and says she gets 'the staggers'. She is now afraid to go out in case she falls.

She was with her doctor (locum) a few weeks ago and mentioned the problem but the locum said it was the diabetes gone into her feet. No examination, no referral. My mother is beginning to get depressed and I hate to see her like this.

Can anyone recommend a specialist that is patient friendly that my mother can see privately? She has made an appointment with her doctor for Monday and it would be great if she could ask her to give her a referral letter for this person. I don't want her to be at the mercy of the hospital waiting list and want to get this sorted for her as soon as possible. We're in Dublin.

Peig Sayers

Anyone?

Eurovisionmad

She'd probably best see her GP, him/her would know who she can be referred to, are you looking for Podiatrist or another endocrinologist?

Peig Sayers

Eurovisionmad wrote: »

She'd probably best see her GP, him/her would know who she can be referred to, are you looking for Podiatrist or another endocrinologist?

Her GP can be rather dismissive and aloof so I though it would be best if my mother already had a name in mind when asking for a letter. I don't know who she would need to see

Mike1961

I attend Isobel Guckian at the Albany Clinic on Fitzwilliam St Lower (01-6616029) - she doesn't do medical card patients - a visit costs €50 euro (or maybe 55). So if you're happy to pay the few bob you won't need a referral letter.

graflynn

Diabetes Ireland have a podiatry service out in Santry. http://www.diabetes.ie/care-centre/services/chiropody-and-podiatry-service/services/

They might have a concession rate for people with medical cards; they may not even charge at all. It might be worth it to give them a call too.

Oniciara

The Dublin city Foot Clinic has 3 clinic that your mother can attend at anytime.
One in Westland row, one in Grafton st (Grafton Medical) and another in Dundrum.

They charge €40 for a full private apt, €35 for medical card holders & €10 for chiropody card holder.
I take my mam regularly as she has a chiropody card which entitles her to 6 visits per year & they take very good care of her.
If your mam has a medical card she can apply for a chiropody card through her local health board, she will need to contact the clinic to get the details of the clinic that she would like to sign up with/attend. A bit like when you sign up for the medical card you have to allocate a doctor to the card.
016760076

Hope this helps