Diabetic Foot Checks in Newcastle — What Your GP’s EPC Referral Actually Covers

Your GP has handed you a referral form with “EPC” on it and told you to book in with a podiatrist for a diabetes foot check. Maybe your feet feel fine. Maybe you’re wondering why a foot appointment matters when your diabetes is managed by your GP and endocrinologist. Either way, this is one of the most valuable checks a person with diabetes can have — and it’s almost always fully or largely covered by Medicare.

Here’s what the referral actually means, and what to expect at your appointment.

What Is an EPC Referral?

EPC stands for Enhanced Primary Care — now more commonly called a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) plan. It’s a Medicare arrangement that lets your GP refer you to allied health providers, including podiatrists, for conditions like diabetes that need ongoing, coordinated care. Under this plan, eligible patients can access up to five allied health visits per calendar year with a Medicare rebate.

For diabetes specifically, a podiatry referral under this plan is one of the most common and important uses of those visits, because foot complications are one of the most serious — and most preventable — consequences of the disease.

Why Diabetes Makes Foot Checks Essential

Diabetes affects the feet in two main ways, and both can happen silently, without any pain to warn you.

Peripheral neuropathy — nerve damage that reduces sensation in the feet — means a cut, blister or pressure area can go completely unnoticed. Left untreated, a small wound can progress to a serious ulcer before it’s ever felt.

Peripheral vascular disease — reduced blood flow to the lower limbs — slows healing significantly, so even minor injuries can take far longer to close and are more prone to infection.

Combined, these two changes are why diabetic foot complications remain a leading cause of hospital admission and, in advanced cases, amputation — and why regular assessment matters even when your feet feel completely normal.

What Happens at a Diabetic Foot Assessment

A thorough assessment at East Coast Podiatry Clinic covers:

• Vascular assessment — checking pulses and circulation, including Doppler studies where indicated, to assess blood flow to the feet
• Neurological testing — sensation testing (monofilament and vibration) to check for early signs of nerve damage
• Skin and nail check — identifying any areas of dryness, callus, fissuring or fungal infection that could become entry points for infection
• Footwear assessment — checking that your shoes aren’t creating pressure areas you can’t feel
• Risk stratification — classifying your feet as low, moderate or high risk, which determines how often you should be reviewed
• Education — practical, everyday advice on checking your own feet and what to watch for between visits

You’ll walk away with a clear picture of where your foot health sits and a plan tailored to your risk level, not a generic checklist.

How Often Should You Be Checked?

This depends on your risk category. Low-risk patients with good sensation and circulation may only need an annual review. Moderate- and high-risk patients — those with reduced sensation, poor circulation, or a history of ulceration — are typically reviewed every three to six months, or more frequently if a concern is identified. Your podiatrist will confirm the right interval for you at your first visit.

When Should You See a Podiatrist?

Beyond your scheduled review, see us promptly if you notice any cut, blister, redness, swelling or discolouration on your feet — even if it doesn’t hurt. With diabetes, the absence of pain is not a reassurance; it’s often exactly why early problems get missed. Same-week appointments are available for anything that looks like it’s not healing as expected.

Book Online Today

If your GP has given you an EPC referral, or you’d simply like a baseline check of your foot health, booking early means any risk factors are caught before they become a problem. Book an appointment online or call us on (02) 4942 2550.