Chiropodist or Podiatrist in Rowley Regis, Blackheath – What’s the difference?

Chiropodist, Podiatrist or Foot Health Practitioner?

What is a Foot Health Practitioner (FHP)?

My name Suzanne Bartram and I am a qualified Foot Health Practitioner (FHP) providing home visits in Rowley Regis, Blackheath  and the surrounding area. I provide treatments for minor ailments to the lower limbs and feet. My work is non-invasive with external minor surgery given without injected anaesthetic. The treatment of Callous (Hard Skin) foot corns and ingrowing toenails is typical of the procedures I carry out. Assessment of foot positioning on walking, along with other external examination techniques are used in the assessment of the structure and condition of the lower limb and foot, all of which fall within the ability and remit of the Foot Health Practitioner. As such, the work carried out by an FHP far exceeds that of those trained simply to provide a nail-cutting service.

Typically I provide help and guidance with the following areas:

  • Any type of pain involving the bones of the lower legs, ankles, or feet.
  • Deformities such as hammertoe.
  • Formation of corns, plantar warts, and bunions.
  • Evaluation and removal of ingrown toenails.
  • Care and treatment of toenail fungus.
  • Diabetic foot care such as toenail trimming and filing.
  • Any type of skin issue of the feet.
  • Advisement as to proper footwear.
  • Advise and help with insoles for shoes

Foot Health Practitioners are members of an Accredited Voluntary Register (The Alliance Voluntary Register) that has been independently vetted by and approved by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care (PSA).

Chiropodist / Podiatrist (Information)

The name Chiropodist was replaced 1993 by Podiatrist as the internationally recognised name for a foot specialist.

Chiropodist / Podiatrists will often though not exclusively be appointed within the NHS Trust. They treat an array of foot and lower limb problems with the most common being treatments for corns and hard skin along with in-growing toenails.  Specialities exist within the profession for almost any lower limb problem.

Typically a Chiropodist / Podiatrist will treat the following:

A Podiatrist / Chiropodist  will be by law Degree qualified and recognised as the profession by which pathological conditions and disease are addressed. The podiatrist is capable of taking on those patients in need of specialist leg and foot support that cannot be delivered by the Foot Health Practitioner.  The full skills and knowledge of a Podiatrist would be required and utilized in only a small proportion of the total of presenting cases.

  • Chronic pain involving the bones of the lower legs, ankles, or feet.
  • Discomfort of the connective tissues or soft tissues.
  • Arthritic problems.
  • Chronic deformities such as hammertoe.
  • Total nail removal.
  • Diabetic foot care such as toenail trimming and filing.
  • Any type of skin issue of the feet.
  • Advisement as to proper footwear.
  • Orthotic prescription if necessary.

All podiatrists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council in order to use the title Chiropodist or Podiatrist. The HPC regulates the chiropody and podiatry profession and ensures that all of its members meet their standards for training, professional skills, behaviour and health.