Shoe fitters association takes foot health appeal to Parliament
11/11/2015
Hosted by the Minister for Life Sciences, George Freeman, the event was a mix of shoe trade and health professionals from universities, podiatry associations and NHS England.
Poorly fitting shoes can affect foot health, and the issue is becoming increasingly important with the rise in cases of diabetes (see World Footwear November/December 2015).
The primary aim of the SSF is to ask for government support in educating parents about the dangers to their children’s development if shoes are not professionally fitted in their formative years.
The SSF would also like to see the government ban the use of carpeting in schools and insisting on pupils changing into plimsolls.
There are more than 135 foot amputations weekly as well as numerous operations for hips, knees, backs, necks that might have been prevented if children had worn the right shoes, properly fitted in childhood, according to the SSF.
“A raft of problems stem from the lack of knowledge when fitting children’s feet and the cheap availability of badly constructed footwear,” said SSF secretary Laura West. “There is a general ignorance about footwear but the effects are vast, people are in pain, there is a massive cost implication to the NHS, it is detrimental to retail which affects the supply chain and landfill is struggling to cope.
“It is not just about children; those with a mature foot requiring considerable fitting expertise are being forced to seek medical intervention and costly footwear through the NHS.”
Mr Freeman promised his assistance and has invited the SSF back to the Commons to meet other politicians.
“Children’s footwear should carry a government health warning to educate parents. Anyone can measure, but very few know how to actually fit,” added Ms West. “A gauge is merely a guide and should not be sold to the public. Our members are qualified shoe fitters and deserve greater recognition for their dedication to learning and service”.
SSF members are taught about common foot conditions, what to look out for and what advice to give their customers through its footwear and fitting course.
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