The aim of the study was to describe how patient understanding and attitude to the effects of rheumatoid arthritis on the foot, and the services available to help limit this, influences self reporting of foot problems. Referral to podiatry was occurring at a stage in the disease process too late to instigate certain preventative interventions. Preliminary fieldwork highlighted that the responsibility for the instigation of this locally lay with the patient. Literature supports the inclusion of podiatry within the multidisciplinary rheumatology team and early foot assessment with regular monitoring. There was a gap in the literature relating to the effectiveness of patient self-reporting in terms of foot health and the implications of relying on this approach.