Chiropodist question

[GertrudeKerfuffle]

Morning,

DD has painful corns or verrucas on her toes and we need to get them seen. Is this something that is available on the NHS for children? She's eight.

I'm quite happy just to book her in somewhere privately, which is what I'd do for myself, but having just taken her to the dentist free of charge I was wondering! Thanks.

Hi, I’m a Podiatrist and at the moment, most NHS Podiatry departments are only treating high risk patients. So unfortunately, it would have to be private for your daughter. Either a Podiatrist/chiropodist or a foot health practitioner :)

Thank you, I thought that would be the case. I certainly don't want to take up space that's needed for people with serious foot problems.

I am surprised you would recommend a Foot Health Practitioner. These clinicians have minimal training and aren't regulated.
Chiropodists/Podiatrists are Regulated Under Statute viz;

https://www.hcpc-uk.org/about-us/who-we-regulate/

@Threemyopicmice hiya. That’s not always the case. There are some very good foot health practitioners out there who have had lots of theory and practical training and lots of experience. I think it’s more about doing your research and finding a good clinician. I’m a hcpc registered Podiatrist and I know there are some awful Podiatrists out there and some amazing foot health practitioners and vice versa.

I think you are mistaken.
My research tells me that most Foot Health practitioners are trained by distance learning (one module a month for a year) and then 2/3 weeks of practical training. Then they are let loose with scalpels on the unsuspecting public.

I can't see how that equates to " lots of theory and practical training "!

In addition they aren't Regulated, don't have a written Code of Conduct or Scope of Practice, or any National benchmark for standards of Prctice.so they are basically uncontrolled.

If there are some "awful Podiatrists out there " as you say the clients can report them to the National Regulator the HCPC and they could be struck off. There is no regulation for these other minimally trained practitioners.

"I think it’s more about doing your research and finding a good clinician". And how does one do that? Put your hands in the care of someone with minimal training and hope for the best ? 😮

I don’t think we’ll ever agree on this one 🤣 I work in the industry so I do know what I’m talking about. Foot health practitioners can work alongside Podiatrists in clinics. So they have someone to mentor them. This doesn’t happen all the time but it does happen.
By ‘doing your research’ I meant asking around your local area, finding other people who have been seen by the clinician, word of mouth.
There is a register for fhps http://www.footreg.org/

and check this out too https://www.smaeinstitute.co.uk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwOuPl9a0gAMVhuDtCh0agAXmEAAYASAAEgKDDPD_BwE

lots of fhps use their qualification as a stepping stone to being a podiatrist.

over and out :)

I bow to your superior knowledge of the industry. (Not being sarcastic BTW) just curious and looking for more information.

So can you tell me who regulates Foot Health Practitioners?

The link for the register you sent me just has a list of Members. I can't see anything about standards or regulation.

I looked into this thoroughly when a family member wanted to do one of these courses.
This one has 17 modules and 44 multiple choice questions which can be answered from the workbook They offer 5 days practical training. I hardly think this is adequate. Also again no mention of regulation or standards

https://nextgenerationtraining.co.uk/courses/foot-health-practitioner?gclid=CjwKCAjwlJimBhAsEiwA1hrp5iSy-mVkerRieBLIoD8VysvoJOwgjXXZHJ1Fzam6ENAjK4sk6u7CTxoCqS0QAvD_BwE