By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The Ellis County Health Department, 2507 Canterbury Drive, now offers a foot care clinic for residents.
Director Kim Reel noticed an increased number of calls about the availability of foot care when the COVID pandemic was dying down.
"We're a little bit of a compass at our office. When people call us, they're asking about what kind of health care is available in our community. We started getting a lot of calls about foot care and foot problems," Reel said.
The staff talked about the situation and eventually hired Geri French who has 15 years' experience working in podiatry.
"We'll be doing general foot care," French said.
That includes soaking the feet, trimming toenails, thinning thick toenails, and checking for problems such as red spots and deformities to pinpoint any abnormalities before worsening complications.
Patients also will get a short foot massage with lotion.
Diabetic clients must bring a letter from their doctor stating they are healthy enough to receive foot care.
A special podiatry chair is used for appointments and equipment is sanitized after each patient's use. Clients should bring their own towels. The clinic will not supply them.
The service costs $25 and is self-pay.
"We will not bill insurance," French said.
Appointments are scheduled on Wednesdays only. Call 785-628-9440 for more information.
The average appointment will take from 45 minutes to an hour.
Regular foot care is important to overall general health.
"You're standing on them all day," Reel said. "The average person takes 10,000 steps a day, and we put force on our feet of two to three times our body weight.
"Sometimes our feet tend to kind of break down, kind of like tires on a car."
Good foot care is even more critical if a person has co-morbidities such as diabetes or heart problems, which can cause poor blood circulation.
Feet may not be included in regular annual physicals.
"A lot of people don't take their socks off, so sometimes it's overlooked," Reel said.
Appointments are filling up quickly, French said, and she's considering adding another appointment day to the week.
Dr. Richard Burkey, the sole podiatrist in Hays for several years, recently retired.
"He reached out to us and began making referrals of his patients," Reel said.
Area residents also have the option to make a podiatry appointment with Breit Advanced Practice Clinic at the Russell Regional Hospital Specialty Clinic.
Babe Breit is an advanced practice registered nurse with national board certification as a family nurse practitioner. She specializes in advanced level foot care ranging from trimming difficult nails to more severe problems as a result of diabetes or other diseases.
Breit is also available to come to your home.
Call or text 785-656-6363 to make an appointment with Breit.