LIVINGLIVING
A COSY RELATIONSHIP
Specialist footcare company Cosyfeet has invited podiatry experts
to advise on creating footwear for people with diabetes and possible
complications.
T
he College of Podiatry
has worked alongside
shoe design company
Cosyfeet in advising
which of the company's
extra roomy footwear styles are suitable
for people with diabetes. Representatives
from the college were invited to Cosyfeet's
head office in Somerset to advise on the
suitability of each style for people with a
diagnosis of diabetes who are vulnerable
to foot complications.
The College's Clinical Director,
Professor Paul Chadwick, headed up the
visiting panel, accompanied by advanced
diabetic podiatrist Krishna Gohill and
advanced biomechanics podiatrist
Martin Nunn. They were responding
to Cosyfeet's request for advice on
giving clear and accurate information to
customers requiring specialised footwear
due to having diabetes.
Cosyfeet's Managing Director, Andrew
Peirce commented on the visit saying,
"Many of our customers have vulnerable
feet and as shoemakers we have a
responsibility to offer them optimum
footwear for their needs. Advice from the
college has been invaluable in helping us
to identify styles suitable for those at risk
of foot complications due to diabetes, so
we can assist customers in making the
best possible purchasing decisions for
their health."
Feet forward
Recommendations from the College are
being used by Cosyfeet to identify not
only footwear styles but also sock and
hosiery products which would be suitable
for people with diabetes. They are also
being used to educate staff in giving the
best possible advice to customers, and to
assist Cosyfeet's designers in specifying
optimal products for those at risk of foot
complications.
The College of Podiatry is the
Professional Body and Trade Union
for registered podiatrists, representing
around 10,000 private practitioners, NHS
podiatrists, students and retired members.
The visiting panel used published research
and guidelines to formulate a standardised
approach to assess which Cosyfeet styles
could be considered appropriate for people
living with diabetes.
About 70% of people with diabetes
are considered 'low risk' and providing
they follow their GP's advice, can wear
most footwear without risk. The panel's
advice was geared towards those at
higher risk who need to take greater care
over the footwear choices they make.
Adds Pierce. "The comfort and foot
health of our customers is at the forefront
of everything we do. We have a duty of
care which we take extremely seriously
and are deeply grateful to the College for
their guidance."
Check your feet
Cosyfeet advise all those at potential risk
Cosyfeet's Angus Lewis and Nick Brown (on left) with
the visiting panel from the College of Podiatry.