What Can I Expect At My First Appointment?
I start by recording relevant personal details and medical history, (all records are kept confidential). I then proceed to give your feet a thorough foot health check and discuss your requirements and treatment plan.
Once treatment is complete, I can answer any questions you might have and relevant advice is given. The treatment concludes with a foot massage.
What Is A Foot Health Practitioner?
Foot Health Practitioners deliver routine foot care wherever it is needed. They are trained to recognise and assess foot conditions, treat appropriately and refer when necessary. Many people need simple foot care to maintain mobility and quality of life. Being overweight or diabetic increases the need, both of these conditions are rapidly increasing in prevalence in the population.
Working as independent practitioners in the private sector, Foot Health Practitioners deliver their skills in a wide range of settings. They work with other health care professionals wherever necessary for the well-being of their clients.
They may visit individual clients in their own homes, attend clients in Rest Homes and Nursing Homes, or visit industrial and commercial sites for the benefit of employees. Many Foot Health Practitioners establish their own surgery-based premises in order to provide a service to a local population.
What Is The Difference Between A Foot Health Practitioner, A Chiropodist And A Podiatrist?
Foot Health Practitioners and Podiatrists both have important roles to play in the community.
Nowadays there are fewer Chiropodists in the community. In 2005/6 the terms Chiropodist/Chiropody/Podiatrist/Podiatry became “protected” following government legislation. This meant that the schools that used to train Chiropodists then had to re-name their graduates, so from mid-2004 onwards the Foot Health Practitioner came into existence!
Foot Health Practitioners provide the routine foot care that the majority of people require on a regular basis ie. Toenail Trimming, Ingrown Toenails (that do not require surgery), Corns, Calluses, Fungal Infections, Verrucae, Diabetics (who have their condition under control) etc. They are privately trained (ie. self-funded) to diploma level. Some Foot Health Practitioners undertake post-graduate studies to qualify in bio-mechanics, Cryo-surgery etc. and some even go on to undertake Podiatry degrees.
Podiatrists provide care to “at risk” patients ie. Diabetics whose condition is out of control, surgical procedures, biomechanics etc. Very often a Podiatrist will specialise in particular area. They can also provide the more routine footcare that the Foot Health Practitioner provides. They are trained and funded within the NHS and trained to degree level. They can be registered with the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC).
Foot Health Practitioners do have the option to register with the Accredited Register of Foot Health Practitioners which is overseen by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (who also oversee the HCPC).
There are also numerous other Registers available to the Foot Health Practitioner to register with.
