PODIATRIST OR FOOT HEALTH PRACTITIONER?
Many foot clinics look the same from the outside. But the person treating you may have very different training. Here is a simple guide to help you choose who looks after your feet.
You can check if anyone is a registered podiatrist on the HCPC website: hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register
What is a podiatrist?
-
Has a 3-year university degree in podiatry
-
Must be registered with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council)
-
"Podiatrist" is a protected title - by law, only HCPC-registered professionals can use it
-
Must keep training up to date to stay registered
-
Can treat painful and complex problems, including injuries, heel pain and diabetic feet
-
Can use local anaesthetic, so can carry out nail surgery
What is a foot health practitioner?
Foot health practitioners (FHPs) can be a good choice for routine foot care. But it helps to know the difference:
-
Usually trained through a shorter course
-
Not regulated by law, and not HCPC registered
-
Provide routine foot care, such as nail cutting, corns and hard skin
At Appleby Podiatry, you get both
-
Our foot health practitioners, Claudi and Jamie, provide friendly routine care for nails, corns and hard skin
-
Our clinic is run by Trudy, an HCPC-registered podiatrist (CH34854), trained at the University of Brighton with NHS experience
-
If your appointment shows something that needs more than routine care - pain, an ingrown toenail, a diabetic foot problem or an injury - you are already in the right place
-
Fully insured with the Royal College of Podiatry
-
St Luke's Therapy Centre, Stroud, and Tuesday mornings in Minchinhampton
Podiatrist-led care, with no starting again somewhere else.
