The ‘Footprints’ mobile bus.
Sunshine Coast Health is taking diabetes and foot screening on the road, to encourage more people to get checked early.
The ‘Footprints’ mobile bus has been visiting locations across the Sunshine Coast and Gympie regions, offering the community easy access to assessment and treatment of foot problems, which can help prevent diabetic foot disease.
“A simple foot screening can detect potential issues in blood flow, undiagnosed diabetes, and ensure timely referral to community or high-risk foot podiatrists,” Sunshine Coast Health Complex Care Nurse Navigator and Diabetes Educator Carolyn Allen said.
“You might have foot issues without feeling any pain, so regular foot checks and learning to inspect your feet yourself can prevent complications.”
The vehicle is equipped with a podiatry chair and the mobile clinics are operated by nurses who specialise in diabetes and foot care.
The outreach program has been visiting locations such as shopping areas and community halls, to make getting a diabetes checks quick and simple.
The service is designed to be accessible to all and provides culturally appropriate care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on the Sunshine Coast.
“We welcome everyone to pay a visit to our Footprints bus when it’s in a town near them.”
The service has been funded by a Queensland Health Community Connect grant.
This week is National Diabetes Week and the team behind the Footprints service are encouraging residents to take their foot health seriously.
“It may not be the most glamorous part of healthcare, but our feet can be a big indicator of other health issues happening in our bodies.”
“Foot problems are common in people with diabetes, but managing your blood sugar levels can help keep your feet healthy.”
The Footprints nurse can also help people complete an assessment to evaluate their risk of developing diabetes over the next five years.
There’s no need to book an appointment, the clinic operates on a walk-in basis. Keep an eye out on social media for clinic dates and locations.