Some Common Questions Answered
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.
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.
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).
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 an optional foot massage.
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 an optional foot massage.
Why do you collect personal information? Are records kept confidential?
I collect information about you for 2 reasons: firstly, it is a requirement by law and for insurance purposes. Secondly, to provide you with the best possible treatment plan using clinical reasoning processes.
The type of information I will collect about you includes: name, address, contact numbers, medical and any other relevant history.
I am committed and required by law to maintain confidential your personal information.
I will only use the information that I collect about you lawfully and in accordance with the Data Protection Act and more recently also the General Data Protection Regulations.
My service includes a high quality of hygiene including full vacuum sterilisation of instruments which means that all instruments, used on each individual patient, are individually pouched prior to sterilisation and then “in pouch” autoclave sterilised so that every set of instruments used is in a 100% sterile state when opened in front of you at each treatment.
This standard is over and above the minimum requirements for Foot Health Practitioners and not all Practitioners operate at this level of instrument hygiene.
What Forms Of Payment Do You Accept?