Foot Care
Who We Are
A Foot Care Nurse is part of the primary health care team and provides a variety of medical foot care services, including nail and skin care. A Foot Care Nurse will assess and provide treatment, including management of acute and chronic conditions. They often identify early signs of disease progression and play an important role in the prevention of injury and disability related to complications from these conditions, while promoting foot health and overall wellbeing.
Foot Care Nurses are practicing nurses registered with the College of Nurses of Ontario, who have completed additional education to expand their scope in order provide comprehensive foot and lower limb assessments and care.
At the Barrie and Community Family Health Team, we have a full-time foot care nurse and administrative assistant who are ready to help you get back on your feet!
Services Overview
Foot care services aim to provide access to foot care and education for patients at high risk of complication who have no private insurance coverage.
Our goal is to reduce the occurrence of:
- diabetic foot complications (such as ulcers, infections, amputations)
- complications in seniors (over the age of 65) due to limitation in abilities and mobility
- infections: bacterial (ingrown nails), fungal (skin/ nails)
Services offered at our foot care clinic include:
- Diabetic and/or geriatric foot assessment, care and education
- General foot care: calluses, corns, skin care, nail care
- Lower limb assessment and referral to other practitioners as needed
- Management of onychocryptosis/ingrown infections, onychomycosis, dystrophic nails
- Wound care management and referrals to Ontario Health at Home for high-risk ulcerations
All patient visits are covered by the Ontario Ministry of Health. After a visit with our health care provider, your health information is shared with your Family Physician and becomes part of your medical record.
Appointment Information
This service is available to patients at high risk of foot complications who have no private insurance coverage:
- Patients with diabetes
- Frail, elderly patients (over the age of 65)
- LINKS Program patients
If you qualify for this service, you can be referred by your Family Health Team Physician or Nurse Practitioner.
During your appointment, a foot care specialist will complete an in-depth patient assessment and discuss a treatment protocol based on your foot care needs. A support person is welcome to attend.
