Podiatrist, Chiropodist, Foot Health Practitioner, what is the difference?
Most people think of the title “Chiropodist” as providers of foot care, however this is now an outdated title, although some still use it. The new qualification is either a Podiatrist or Foot Health Practitioner.
In order to use the title “Podiatrist” or “Chiropodist” you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). These titles are protected by law.
A Podiatrist is degree trained and provide a high level of specialist foot care along with routine maintenance. Podiatrist’s can perform toenail surgery, dispense prescription only medication, administer local anaesthetic, provide biomechanics assessments and care for high risk patients with lower limb conditions and diabetes high risk patients, with ulcers etc.
Chiropodists were diploma trained and prior to the titles becoming protected by law could be ‘grandparented’ onto the HCPC register after proving their competency. Following the protecting of the titles of Chiropodist and Podiatrist, many of the original “Chiropody” diplomas became “Foot Health Practitioner” diplomas.Hayley is a Foot Health Practitioner, trained to diploma level 3 and is able to provide routine foot care services. This can include toe nail cutting, callus reduction, enucleation of corns, treatment of verrucae and so on.
Hayley has also undertaken further training to enable her to widen her scope of practice, for example to include Pedisafe toenail reconstruction, Lacuna fungal nail treatment and Verrutop Verruca treatment.
It is part of the role of Foot Health Practitioners to assess your foot care needs and whether they are able to meet them. Where you require services outside of their scope of practice, for example nail surgery or high risk diabetes care, they will refer you to another medical professional, as appropriate.
