The importance of access for all podiatrists to handheld Doppler and manual sphygmomanometers
The Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) has called for podiatrists in all clinical settings to have access to handheld Doppler devices and manual sphygmomanometers.
Dopplers provide key diagnostic information allowing podiatrists to hear and quantify the quality of the blood flow through the arteries. When teamed with a sphygmomanometer, typically associated with monitoring blood pressure, key readings can be taken at the point of presentation; this increases the chances of early intervention for patients.
The call is set out in the RCPod’s new policy position statement. The statement provides podiatry managers in the NHS with the evidence and the authority they need to try to get vital funding for these devices, helping to improve patient safety and clinical outcomes.
The statement responds to widespread concerns from podiatrists who report limited or delayed access to these essential diagnostic tools.
Download the position statement: The importance of access for all podiatrists to handheld Doppler and manual sphygmomanometers. Version 1.5, August 2025