NHS chiropody

Ken68

My local podiatrist failed to pick up that thick skin on my feet was due to one of my medicines, and also failed to advise me to see a doctor about an ingrowing toe nail. At £32 for a 20 minute session, she onto a winner.

SallyD

Huddersfield University has a Podiatry Department with first class facilities. There are plenty of enthusiastic trainee Chiropodists waiting to get hold of your feet. The fee is £10 and I have happy feet. Checkout your local Uni/College to see if they offer this facility. Pedicures are available in college "beauty salons" at a fraction of the prices charged in Salons.

newleaf

SallyD wrote: »

Huddersfield University has a Podiatry Department with first class facilities. There are plenty of enthusiastic trainee Chiropodists waiting to get hold of your feet. The fee is £10 and I have happy feet..

Now, that is very interesting, thanks. I will look into it.

McKneff

Ken68 wrote: »

My local podiatrist failed to pick up that thick skin on my feet was due to one of my medicines, and also failed to advise me to see a doctor about an ingrowing toe nail. At £32 for a 20 minute session, she onto a winner.

But surely, if it was due to one of your medicines it would have been listed on the document that came with your medication re side effects, it should be up to you to be more diligent, and as far as an ingrowing toenail, yes, painful, so you shouldn't really need to be told to see your GP.

As far as her hourly rate is concerned, it is pretty reasonable..... Ask your Dentist how much they would charge an hour, ha ha. 70 quid to pull a tooth out that takes 5 seconds.....

Ken68

Just checked the leaflet, it mentions everything from hair loss to skin irritation to memory loss to prolonged erection.
It's a case of covering themselves.
To a SPECIALIST, the medicine should have alerted her straightaway, but why mention this when she makes money from regular visits at £32 a time.

brook2jack

Because she will not have access to an up to date version of the BNF and as there are thousands of new medications coming out all the time it is impossible to know what the side effects of them all is without checking.

A chiropodist/podiatrist has to be qualified and undergo a degree course. However foot care practitioners etc have no regulation and some just do a correspondence course.There is a world of difference between a person carving hard skin off and a professional who can diagnose and treat medical, bio mechanical problems etc.

Check using the link above that who you are seeing is registered.

Ps Mckneef there is a world of difference in the costs involved setting up a podiatry clinic and the immense costs involved in running a dental surgery.

Mee

I can't comment on local practice or others experience, but only my own.

I had difficulty walking on my foot at times over the Summer, I saw a doctor who couldn't diagnose what it was wrong. I spoke to an ex-nurse who encouraged me to insist on a diagnosis/referral. I looked up NHS podiatrists for my area and checked access advice. Yes, the emphasis is on chronic underlying conditions such as diabetes, but reading between the lines it doesn't rule out other referrals. I saw a second doctor and asked for a referral. She mentioned the emphasis on chronic conditions on the referral form, but I explained my concerns - immobility - weight gain - chronic condition. I saw a podiatrist yesterday - she didn't question my referral. I wish I had discussed this issue with her, but will do in eight weeks time.