High Risk Foot Service

The High Risk Foot Service can help patients with: 

• Non-healing foot ulceration 
• Foot ulceration with mild-moderate infections
• Suspected/Confirmed Charcot neuroarthropathy

Please refer to the Active Foot Disease Pathway for detailed advice: Active Foot Disease Pathway

For low-risk podiatry referrals, consider a community podiatrist referral: Podiatry | Eastern Health

For emergency cases, please present to the Emergency Department immediately or dial 000. Refer to the below link: 

Emergency Department | Eastern Health

Those meeting the referral criteria are preferred to have a referral from a GP, but a referral can also be made from your community podiatrist or private podiatrist: 

GP Referral Information:

GP referrals will only be accepted through an ‘e-referral’ via HealthLink smart forms to the appropriate area defined below, please follow the additional referral information in the smart form:

Smart forms can be accessed via GP clinical software systems including MedicalDirector, Best Practice, Genie Solutions and Medtech. For assistance with the HealthLink SmartForms in your software, contact HealthLink on 1800 125 036 or email HelpdeskHL@healthlink.net or refer to this link: Specialist Clinics (Outpatients) | Eastern Health

Community/private podiatry referrals:

Podiatrists can refer directly to the ‘High Risk Foot Service Coordinator’ with the following forms completed for those with or without diabetes meeting the referral criteria above. Please email podiatry@easternhealth.org.au with the following completed forms:

• HARP triage form: HARP Triage Form (PDF,191KB)
• Podiatry intake form Intake Referral Podiatry Template (PDF,410KB)
• Include any recent photos, medical imaging, pathology results and the most recent clinical notes

• Medicare card
• Health care card/concession card (if applicable)
• Adverse drug alert card (if you have one)
• Any additional footwear you wear frequently
• Glasses, hearing aid, walking frame (if applicable)
• Your blood glucose meter and log book
• X-ray films, scans, ultrasounds or any other test results or reports
• List of medicines you are currently taking (or the boxes) including herbal supplements and vitamins

You will be seen by a qualified podiatrist who will conduct an assessment and devise a treatment plan suited to your needs.

Your podiatrist will guide the involvement of other specialist team members to support your treatment goals including but not limited to: Endocrinologists, Vascular Surgeons, Orthopaedic Surgeons, Infectious Disease Specialists, Diabetes Nurse Educators and Orthotists/Pedorthists.

Patients are welcome to invite a family member or carer to be present to help answer any questions.

You may be eligible to attend a local community health podiatrist team. You can review the community health services directory to find a service closet to you and contact them directly:

Community health services | health.vic.gov.au

Alternatively, you can review with your local GP to discuss a podiatrist referral.