Neil Baker
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| Who:Neil Baker Where: Ipswich Hospital, England Contact: Neil.Baker(at)ipswichhospital.nhs.uk |
Neil, tell us bit about how you became involved with the foot in diabetes.
Hello, I currently work at Ipswich Hospital NHS Trust where I am the clinical lead for the Diabetic Foot and am actively involved in research; in fact I am the only podiatrist in the hospital. Prior to this I led the diabetic foot service in Southampton for 12 years and concurrently held a lecturing post at the School of Podiatry within Southampton University.
I have been actively involved in diabetic foot care since 1980 within the NHS community, acute, educational and research settings.
So, what’s your typical working day?
Everyday is slightly different but I guess we can all say this. I arrive at 7.30am and spend the first 40 minutes dealing with admin, e-mails and recorded phone messages. When I am in clinic 4 days /week I start at 8.15 and finish at approx 1.30pm,
I generally am on the wards by 2.00pm and get back to the unit a 4-5pm this then gives me about an hour to catch up with emergency phone calls, patients, more admin, teaching, or research. Leave the hospital at 6-6.45pm, and then do a bit more a home!
Every Monday morning I work in a general diabetes out-patient clinic doing annual diabetes audits, Wed, Thurs are main ulcer clinic days (25-35 pts / session) and alternate Fridays I run a footwear clinic. Every Friday I have a joint meeting with Radiologist and vascular Surgeons. And there’s more ….
But I wont bore you with this, however a very important part of my work is the prospective in-patient audit that has been going on for 6 years now, which means that Fiona (foot nurse) and myself follow- up every diabetic foot lesion in the hospital through to discharge and then into the clinics.
How did you first become interested in working with the foot in diabetes?
This I guess stemmed from student days all those many years ago and then as a newly qualified podiatrist seeing the great opportunity to use our skills very effectively. Then just pushing to make things happen!
Why does this speciality appeal to you as a career choice, and who, if anyone influenced / motivated / guided you in this area of work?
Because it is very rewarding and we can make a huge difference.
I would also like to say it is one of the only areas in podiatry where your worth is truly recognised and appreciated by the MDT members.
It also has been a fertile ground for professional development and still is so – extending the scope of practice well beyond normal.
One person who influenced me as a student was my personal tutor at the time Mrs Barbara Wall – thanks Barbara.
Apart from that I guess everyone else who gets switched on by treating, researching etc in this specialist area.
What have been your best and worst moments at work and why?
Litigation cases! Although none have gone all the way to court these are harrowing.
Apart from this I guess patients having an MI in front of you (2 dead 3 recovered) and seeing patients slowly or suddenly deteriorating
medically after a long hard slog to keep them going.
Lack of resources and understanding!!! But every bad event has a good side or lesson to learn from it.
Do you have any coping strategies you can share with us that get you through the worst bits?
Keep smiling, share with colleagues and go for a run / hit the gym!
Do you have any new projects that you are trying to develop at the moment?
Charcot and micro-circulatory response to injury, dressing studies, I could give you a long list but that would be a bit boring.
Questions are always popping up to be answered.
What do you feel are currently the most challenging issues for people working with foot in diabetes in 2007?
There are loads but for me I guess to continue to fight for our speciality and extend the scope of practice even more. To ensure that a minimum standard of competencies are achieved with the public and private sector so that safe and good quality care is given to those with at risk feet in diabetes.
To bring along new diabetic foot champions for the future. Finally, protecting what has taken so long and hard to achieve so far.
Thanks Neil.