Sharon Eldridge, a type 1 diabetic who had been a patient at the clinic for the past 11 years, said she would be forced to travel to Orange because she cannot get an appointment elsewhere in Dubbo until mid-January for a procedure she needs performed on a weekly basis.

Ms Eldridge said she found out during her most recent visit to the clinic two weeks ago that it was the podiatrist's last day. She said she called on two subsequent Mondays only to be told there was still no podiatrist at the clinic.

"This should have all been sorted out before the last podiatrist left," she said.

Ms Eldridge said the clinic was not just a vital service for Dubbo residents but for people who travelled from across western NSW to access it, including patients from Bourke, Coonamble and Walgett.

At worst, she said, patients "could lose feet and limbs" while they waited for the service to be reinstated.

Despite having her big toe amputated 11 years ago, Ms Eldridge described herself as "one of the better-off patients".

"I don't have open wounds but others do and can't get treatment," she said.

"It's clearly an issue. If a diabetic gets a wound on a Thursday, if they cut themselves and need attention, we can't wait until Tuesday to see a podiatrist."

Ideally, she said, the one-day-a-week clinic would be expanded to at least three days, given the demand for the service.

Not that Ms Eldridge had not had serious issues.

"A massive ulcer on my foot has just healed," she said.

"I have to have regular weekly debridement of my wound, where the dead skin is removed with a scalpel, so it doesn't break down into further ulcers.

"With diabetics' wounds, infections start on the inside and eat outwards, you can have something wrong for ages and not know.

"I cut my foot on tiles and it kept breaking down. I ended up with a bit of hair wrapped around my toe like a tourniquet and it cut the circulation off. I didn't know it. The hair was there for two days and I couldn't feel it. I ended up with a big mushroom-type blister.

"The podiatrist had to take the skin off my entire toe because it was starting to turn purple and it took months for it to heal. Without the podiatry centre I would have lost my toe. I've already lost part of it from the debridement.

"My doctor told me 11 years ago that within two years I wouldn't have my legs, but thanks to the high-risk foot clinic I do have them. I've lost some bits but haven't had to have another amputation. I would hate to think what would happen without the clinic."

Ms Eldridge's partner Tim O'Keefe said more needed to be done to address the situation.

"Does the health minister realise what high-risk feet are?" he said.

"It will cost the government more if diabetics start losing feet."

Dubbo Health Service general manager Debra Bickerton said the previous podiatry contractor had ended the contract early.

"At which time a permanent podiatrist was recruited, but withdrew their application after an offer of employment had been made to them by the LHD," she said.

A casual podiatrist would be employed until the permanent position was recruited, after it was re-advertised in January, she said.

"In the interim, patients are encouraged to see their GP to make an outpatient appointment via Ambulatory Care for the Wound Clinic," she said.

"They can also visit a podiatrist in the community - most private podiatrists bulk bill diabetics.

"Dubbo Health Service looks forward to providing the services of a qualified podiatrist again as soon as possible."

But Ms Eldridge remained concerned about her options.

"The service at the high-risk clinic was brilliant, faultless," she said.

"It's a specialised area and a lot of GPs and podiatrists aren't familiar with high risk feet.

"It's not about having a go at them ... they may just not have had the experience with them.

"A lot of people I know were concerned about speaking out. I just thought, I've got nothing to lose but my feet."