Patients with Health Insurance

Prior to initial consultation, a GP referral letter is required for any consultations and or surgery that are to be covered by Health Insurers.

Self funding patients may self refer without a GP letter.

What is a Podiatrist / Podiatric Surgeon

The Following is a statement by the Past Dean of  Surgical Faculty of The College of Podiatrists.

Mr T. Prior    Consultant Podiatric Surgeon.

A podiatrist will have studied for three years to obtain a degree in Podiatry or Podiatric Medicine. Podiatrists are independent clinicians, qualified to diagnose and treat foot problems. Many podiatrists specialise in specific areas of work such as diabetes, rheumatology, sports injuries etc. With the exception of nail surgery, podiatrists use non-surgical (all non-invasive) methods of treatment and this remains the mainstay of treatment for most foot problems. Until recently, podiatrists in the United Kingdom were known as chiropodists.

A Podiatric Surgeon is a podiatrist who has undertaken extensive post graduate training in foot surgery. They are therefore non-medically qualified specialists in the treatment of all foot problems utilising conservative (non-surgical) and surgical treatment methods.

Training

A podiatrist is specifically trained to assess, diagnose and manage foot complaints. Whilst a podiatrist is not medically trained and therefore not a doctor, extensive postgraduate training enables podiatrists to perform foot surgery. Podiatric Surgeons are highly specialised only operating on the foot rather like a dental surgeon who will only treat your mouth. Podiatric surgery is a proven and effective aspect of foot health care with thousands of foot operations performed each year. The training involves:

• 3 year full time degree in Podiatry
• 2 years general Podiatric Practice
• 2 year primary fellowship – MSc in Theory of Podiatric Surgery
• 2 year surgical training programme  
• Final Fellowship examination
• 3 year specialist training (Clinical Fellow in Podiatric Surgery)
• Accreditation with the Faculty of Podiatric Surgery. CCST(Certificate of Completion of Specialist training)
• Consultant Podiatric Surgeon. Appointments made by employing NHS trust panel interview
• MINIMUM OF 12 YEARS TRAINING

All Podiatric Surgeons are required to be registered with the Health Professions Council with the award of Fellowship and training provided by the Faculty of Surgery of The College of Podiatrists. 

Where necessary, general anaesthetic or sedation is available and the risks associated with these techniques are now extremely small.

Podiatric Surgeons should not be confused with Orthopaedic Surgeons as their training is different. Orthopaedic Surgeons train as doctors initially and then specialise in Orthopaedic Surgery. This training is for the whole body rather than one specific area. On completion of training, many Orthopaedic Surgeons sub specialise into specific interest areas, including the foot. However, most continue practicing general Orthopaedic Surgery.

By contrast, Podiatric Surgeons are not doctors but are trained specifically to undertake surgery on the  the foot  and this is their only area of practice, in the same way dental surgeons treat conditions in the mouth.