Podiatry FAQ's

What is the difference between a Chiropodist and a Podiatrist?

Chiropody is the traditional name for the footcare profession. Chiropodists are now referred to as Podiatrists as this is the global term for foot care specialists. Both titles are protected by the Health & Care Professions Council.

Can anybody have their feet treated?

Yes. Anybody who is concerned about the health of their feet or who requires some professional assistance dealing with a complaint. Many patients will have a treatment to ensure that their feet are healthy. Podiatry is particularly beneficial to those with health problems such as Diabetes.

What do I need to bring with me for my first appointment?

Podiatry is a medical treatment and as such we need to keep a record of what happens during your sessions with us. To do this accurately and to comply with UK law we need to take certain details such as your name, address and date of birth. There is also a medical questionnaire as many things can affect your feet. We do not ask these questions to be nosy but to give you the most accurate diagnosis and treatment possible. If you are unable to remember your medications it would be helpful if you could bring a list or a copy of your repeat prescription to your appointment with you. All our Podiatrists are DBS checked and your details are stored for medical purposes only. They are not shared with other people and are not sold on for marketing purposes.

Will it hurt when I have my feet treated?

No. The majority of treatments are non-invasive and pain-free for most people. We do use instruments such as scalpels to remove hard skin however the vast majority of patients are fine throughout treatment. If you do have any concerns please speak to a member of staff.

How long will it be before I need my feet treated again?

The length of time between treatments varies between individuals and the type of foot problems you have. The average time between treatments is 8 weeks. Most patients return when they start feeling discomfort, however this varies from person to person.

What if I can no longer make my appointment?

If you are no longer able to attend your appointment please give us as much notice as possible and we will happily rearrange it for you. We normally always have a cancellation list of people waiting to get an emergency appointment so the space can be filled. We reserve the right to charge for missed appointments if no notice is given.

'We may at times require 50% deposit of the appointment, paid upfront to secure the appointment. We have had to do this because of problems with people who fail to attend and people who are not giving us 24 hours notice when cancelling an appointment.’

‘The deposit is non refundable if you fail to attend the appointment or do not give us more 24 hours notice to cancel the appointment.’

I wish to make an appointment for someone with Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Autism or Learning Difficulties, how do I do this?

Please let us know when booking the appointment if you are making it for someone with certain requirements. We aim to adapt to an individual’s needs as much as possible. The treating Podiatrist will be happy to discuss their individual treatment requirements prior to the appointment to ensure the treatment is as stress free as possible. If the patient does not have their own right of consent then a carer or family member should be present during the treatment. We are also able to accept payment over the phone if the patient is not able to handle money effectively. Receipts are provided upon request. We are happy to offer call reminders to patients, family members or carers as required at any specified time interval. We do not charge for missed appointments for patients with these conditions. Staff photos can be provided for photo boards/communication boards for patient use. Our aim is to make the treatments as easy as possible for our patients.

I’m looking for a State Registered Chiropodist, are you one?

State Registration (the annotation SRCh) was officially removed as a standard in 2005. The new standard is known as Health and Care Professions Council registered. This does not come with any extra letters after a Podiatrist's name. HCPC registration is the legal requirement for all practicing Chiropodist's/Podiatrist's in the UK.