Podiatry put best foot forward
Podiatrists in Aotearoa will soon be able to prescribe certain medications direct to patients after the Government passed new regulations for the profession.
The move has been welcomed by Professor Matt Carroll, who describes it as “the most significant advancement” for both the profession and patients.
Being able to prescribe directly will mean people receiving medicines more quickly, without having to arrange additional appointments with their GP.
That is likely to have big impacts on the management of chronic conditions that effect the lower limb and foot in Aotearoa, like the side-effects of diabetes, says Dr Carroll.
“Diabetic foot ulcerations which become infected and can lead to amputations.
“Currently, patients with foot ulcers or infections who see a podiatrist often need antibiotics but must be referred to their GP. Due to common delays in securing GP appointments, infections can worsen during the wait,” he says.
“Antibiotics are also very important for stopping infections related to that and the likes of ingrown nails and other small traumas.”
Many podiatrists in Aotearoa work in rural or remote settings so another major benefit of the change will be access to medicines for people in those communities who don’t have the ability to travel or cannot access GP services easily.
This will include medicines like analgesics, antibiotics, antifungals, corticosteroids, and new local anaesthetic options.
As well as the positive impact upon the patient journey, the move will positively lift the perception of the profession, says Dr Carroll.
“I think we’ll see an increasing number of people who want to study Podiatry here.”
“AUT is the sole provider of podiatry training in Aotearoa, so we will also develop and deliver the education programme to enable podiatrists to prescribe going forward.”
While Dr Carroll’s attention will turn to the work required to embed the training in AUT’s courses, he also played an even bigger part in this positive change for the profession.
“In a previous role I was chair of the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand, I led the project that, developed and submitted the application to cabinet which was approved late last year.
“Our application really focused on improving the journey through the healthcare system and reducing costs for people - fortunately the Minister of Health and Cabinet agreed.”
In a media release, Minister of Health Hon Simeon Brown, says podiatrists play a critical role in New Zealand, managing "a range of conditions affecting feet and lower limbs, including symptoms of chronic health conditions like diabetes, which impact many New Zealanders”.
“This means podiatrists will join other health professions that have designated prescriber rights, including specially trained nurses, dieticians, and pharmacists.