The Royal College of Podiatry launches new guidance to help the NHS implement cost-effective surgical services

The Faculty of Podiatric Surgery, part of the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod), has published Implementing a podiatric surgery service, a comprehensive guide designed to support NHS organisations in commissioning safe, effective and financially sustainable podiatric surgery services.

The guidance sets out the clinical, operational and economic case for incorporating podiatric surgery into local pathways. It provides practical tools for commissioners and service leads, including business case templates, workforce considerations, service models and examples of successful NHS delivery.

Evidence shows that podiatric surgery offers major system benefits. Procedures delivered under regional anaesthesia in day-case settings reduce pressure on acute theatres, free up hospital capacity and enable faster patient discharge. Economic modelling shows potential savings of between £1,800 and £3,600 per procedure, alongside reductions in amputation rates of up to 50%. 

Launching the guidance, Dr Helen Branthwaite, the RCPod’s Chief Clinical Advisor, said:

“Podiatric surgery is a proven, cost-effective solution for foot and ankle conditions. This guidance gives commissioners and providers the information they need to implement services that improve patient care and reduce pressures in the healthcare system.”

Mr Ewan Kannegieter, Dean of the Faculty of Podiatric Surgery, added:

“Our guidance demonstrates the profession’s commitment to excellence and provides practical steps for service development. We encourage NHS leaders and others to explore these resources and join our upcoming webinars to learn how to make podiatric surgery part of their local strategy."

Next steps

To support implementation, the RCPod will host a webinar for commissioners, service managers and clinicians at:

• 17.00 on Thursday 12 March 2026

This session will introduce podiatric surgery as a pathway, highlight its scope of practice and show how podiatric surgeons contribute to improved outcomes, reduce waiting times and provide much-needed and specialist healthcare in community settings too.

The webinars will feature two leading podiatric surgeons:

• Mr Matthew Rothwell FRCPodS, Consultant Podiatric Surgeon and Clinical Lead for Podiatric Surgery at Mid Yorkshire NHS Teaching Trust – showcasing the role of podiatric surgery in limb salvage and complex patient management
• Mr Anthony Maher FRCPodS, Clinical Lead Consultant Podiatric Surgery, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust - presenting an elective surgery model that demonstrates how podiatric surgery can deliver efficient, high-quality day-case care.

Matthew and Anthony will outline their service as a case study and business model, illustrating how podiatric surgery can be successfully embedded within NHS teams.

The sessions will also cover the economic considerations and practical steps for establishing or expanding a podiatric surgery service, followed by a live Q&A.

Download the guidance and register for the webinars on the RCPod's podiatric surgery web page