Skip to main content

Podiatry criteria referral matrix

To use the critical referral matrix, check out the medical risk level and podiatric need level to determine the possible outcome of getting treatment from the service.

Medical risk

Minimal or none medical risk

  • No condition specified.

Medium or low medical risk

  • Osteo-arthritis.
  • Visual problems.
  • Physical problems.
  • Mental disability.
  • Learning disabilities.
  • Diabetes (NICE clinical guideline 10 at low risk).
  • Warfarin (stable INR).

High medical risk

  • Neuropathic and ischaemic limb conditions.
  • Scleroderma, rheumatoid or related inflammatory arthropathies.
  • Diabetes (NICE clinical guideline 10 as at increased risk).
  • Poor tissue viability.
  • Neurological disorders.
  • Chemotherapy.
  • Immunosuppressed.
  • Warfarin (unstable INR).

Podiatric need

Low podiatric need

  • Non-symptomatic callus.
  • Verrucae.
  • Skin and self-care advise (filing of normal or slightly thickened nails, rough or hard skin).

Moderate podiatric need

  • Symptomatic corns.
  • Symptomatic moderate to heavy callus.
  • Non-complex biomechanics.
  • Symptomatic nail and skin conditions.

High podiatric need

  • Ulcerations.
  • Infections.
  • Complex biomechanical problems.

Referral criteria

Referral criteria
Minimal or none medical risk Moderate or low medical risk Increased or high medical risk
Low need Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 2
Moderate need Priority 1 Priority 1 Priority 3
High need Priority 2 Priority 2 Priority 3

Priority 1

Does not meet criteria for care with Doncaster NHS podiatry services. Any referrals received will be rejected.

Priority 2

Referral and intervention required to include self-care education and awareness leading to discharge.

Priority 3

Manage to resolution. Referral and intervention required to include self-care education and awareness leading to discharge.

Page last reviewed: September 06, 2024
Next review due: September 06, 2025

Problem with this page?

Please tell us about any problems you have found with this web page.

Report a problem