Information for Patients

What is the difference between a Chiropodist and a Podiatrist?

You might be more familiar with the term "Chiropody" or "Chiropodist" rather than "Podiatry" or "Podiatrist". Chiropody is a well known name most people associate with foot care and is as such a familiar job title still used by many people. The title "Podiatrist" is a more up-to-date title than Chiropodist due to their university degree level training which includes medical based training giving them more 'scope' in what they can offer their patients in terms of knowledge, diagnosis and treatments. Podiatrists are usually also qualified to also offer nail surgery, being able to administer local anaesthetic. Many podiatrists can also supply and sell some prescription only medicines which can be available for some treatments we can provide easing the burden on your GP and the NHS.

Registered Podiatrists and Chiropodists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They will have completed a 3 or 4 year Batchelor of Science Honours degree level of education in Podiatric Medicine. They are bound by a code of conduct and ethics in a similar way to other medical and health professionals.

Only those who have completed a degree, or have qualified a long time ago can be registered with the HCPC and legally call themselves a Podiatrist or Chiropodist. The HCPC logo indicates a registered and appropriately qualified practitioner.

Note: the term "Foot Health" is not a regulated or protected title in UK law. Foot health training courses are also currently not required to be regulated or standardised. Only Podiatry/Chiropody has followed standardised training in the lower limb and all registered Podiatrists/Chiropodists are regulated and classed as allied medical professionals. You should check carefully where any practitioner has done their training.

Look for someone who is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Chiropodist/Podiatrist. If they are a Foot Health Practitioner/Professional they should be registered with the Alliance of Foot Health Practitioners which is overseen by the Professional Standards Authority (PSA). It is important to check and choose wisely who is taking care of your feet, especially if you have medical conditions or illnesses which put you at additional risk of complications.

Anyone claiming to be a Chiropodist or Podiatrist, should be registered with the HCPC in order to call themselves one, they are breaking the law otherwise.

A podiatrist has to undertake lifelong learning, which requires regular additional training or completing continual professional development events and courses to ensure they are compliant with the requirements of their professional regulator as well as ensuring they can provide and maintain a high standard of care for their patients.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

At your first appointment your foot health will be assessed, along with how this relates to your general well-being.

You will be asked to give your consent for your personal details to be taken, along with your medical history information which will also be stored. Your personal data will be stored securely, and only accessed and used by myself. None of your information will be shared with anyone else without your express permission, for example with your GP. Your information will remain on file for the duration of any treatment you have with me, and for 8 years after the last appointment you may have. After this time it will be deleted permanently. All information you provide, along with al details of any treatment you have is completely confidential.

You have the right to have access to your treatment notes at any time that I hold on file for you.

At your first appointment you will be asked to give written consent for assessment and treatment, this is uploaded and stored on your file.

By signing the consent forms you are stating that you have your own right to give consent for medical treatments. Minors (under 16) will require someone with parental consent to sign their form and must accompany them to their appointment/treatment.

If you are to have additional treatments other than routine, a separate consent form may also be required - for example consent for nail surgery.

At any appointment and treatment you will always have the right to change your mind at any point, all treatments will be fully explained to you to enable you to make an informed decision.

Podiatry and Chiropody treatment is performed using sterile (autoclaved) or single use equipment. Whilst every care is taken during your treatment there is a small risk of a break or graze to your skin. This risk can be increased if you have thin skin or are taking blood thinners (anticoagulants).

There is also a small risk of infection following treatment, especially if the skin has a small break in it. Certain other treatments of a more specialist nature also carry additional risks, you will always a have this discussed with you in full before any treatment commences.

PROBLEMS FOLLOWING ANY TREATMENT

Sometimes following a podiatry treatment you may experience some minor discomfort, for example, a corn that still feels uncomfortable, or a toe spacer that doesn't feel quite as it should. In this case I always ask that you contact me as soon as possible or within the first week for advice. Sometimes it is impossible to remedy some foot problems at the first treatment, a plan will be agreed for each person's individual needs. If you think you might have an infection following treatment, then please call me immediately on 07540071016 or 01964 229324 and leave a message if I cannot answer. I will call you back as soon as I can and arrange an appointment to see you as soon as it is possible.

I offer a free review and additional treatment if necessary where something isn't quite as it should be. This is only in certain circumstances. Therefore, please contact me immediately if you have any concerns or problems. Problems not identified within the first week or two may require you to have an additional treatment which may incur an additional fee. I aim to provide a first class service and want all my clients to be happy.

I also provide dressing changes, where appropriate and/or extra interim treatments for no additional fee based on my clinical judgement. I will usually book these with you at your treatment and advise you of this.

CANCELLATIONS AND FAILURE TO ATTEND

If you no longer require an appointment booked, or wish to change or cancel an appointment for any reason, please try to give me as much notice as possible so I can offer your appointment to someone else as missed appointments are financially costly to me. In the case of illness this may not always be possible and I understand this.

THANK YOU - SARAH