Podiatrists are valued members of many teams supporting people who live with long term conditions affecting the health of the foot including rheumatology, diabetes and vascular teams.
Podiatrists specialise in preventative care dealing with chronic and acute conditions, preserving foot health which reduces the risks of wounds, infection or amputations.
They have close working relationships with other health and care professionals including AHP, nursing and medical colleagues.
Podiatrists provide a range of preventative and curative care, they lead patients through their care including prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
Podiatrists can work in biomechanics, nail surgery, core podiatry and high-risk foot care
Chris, specialist diabetes podiatrist
Why did you want to be a podiatrist?
I always wanted to work in the field of medicine and helping people but for long time was unsure exactly what I wanted to do.
After having several different jobs, I stumbled across the BSc Podiatry programme. I read about the course and discussed it with some current students, and I decided to enrol.
After a few months, I had learned the basics in clinic and was able to carry out treatments that would instantly make people feel better and visibly more active and I was hooked.
That desire and associated reward of helping someone is now why I go to work every day.
Day-to-day tasks?
I work in a hospital and 100% of my time is seeing people who have diabetes which causes life and leg threatening complications.
Each day will see me; reading referrals to our service and arranging appointments for new patients, going to the emergency department or wards to help manage the foot problems for people there.
Seeing patients in an outpatient clinic, either on my own or alongside a team made up of doctors, surgeons, orthotists, nurses and plaster technicians.
I can also write prescriptions for medications to treat problems associated with the foot. 
Most fulfilling part of the job?
The most fulfilling part of my job is the same as the day I started – seeing how the care I provide has helped someone. From the patients I see every day, to the junior doctors, podiatrist and other health care professions I provide mentorship to, seeing the positive impact my work has on them still fills me with pride and keeps me motivated to improve my skills."
Olivia, trainee advanced clinical practitioner podiatrist
Why did you want to be a podiatrist?
Podiatry allows you as an individual to have many skills sets such as wound management, holistic assessment and disease management, dermatology and biomechanics.
Treating patients face to face and being able to interact with the public is something I have always been passionate about. Being able to treat patients who have been in discomfort or pain or had a long-standing problem and being able to work with them to create a realistic and achievable plan.
Watching your plan and treatment help and resolve a problem is fantastic and gives you a real sense of achievement. Coming from a care sector background I understand the difficulty patients face with pain and discomfort and how important health education is for patients.
Completing minor operations such as nail surgery, reducing infection and painful issues such as ingrown toenails always made me feel like I was making a real difference to people of all ages who were having problems which we could solve quickly and effectively.
Issues with feet not only cause patients discomfort and effect quality of life but since training as a podiatrist it has presented that it affects everything from hospital discharges to mobilising around home. Being able to assist with these challenges makes every day at work feel rewarding and proud.
Day-to-day tasks?
Wound clinic: Setting up the room for whichever clinic I am doing, bring the first patient down, complete a medical history and medication update. Complete vascular and neurological checks, assess the patient and foot health. Assess any wounds the patient may have, measure, describe, offload and dress. Issue footwear advice or provide with offloading sandal/boot if needed. Liaise with GP if needed for any antibiotics or further dressing care or management. Create a patient-centred management plan which is agreed with the patient and see back regularly for review until the issue is resolved. If the patient is diabetic referring in to see the diabetes care team to liaise with management.
Biomechanics: Set up and clean down room. Bring patient down and look at referral sent from professional such as GP, physiotherapist or nurse practitioner. Take a full medical history from the patient, medication update. Vascular and neurological checks completed. Discuss with the patient the issues that they have been having and a full history of onset, duration, location and alleviation. Complete a full foot and ankle assessment, gait analysis and if required check the knee and hip for any contributing issues. Discuss with the patient findings and create an insole using grinding wheel in the lab, discuss footwear or further referrals needed for the patient.
Nail surgery: Set up and clean down room. Bring in patient and any family member attending. Go through medical history and any changes which may have occurred. Consent that patient is still happy to go ahead with procedure. Complete nail surgery. Dress toe and discuss overnight advice with the patient. See patient back the next day for follow up appointment and issue advice that may be required to keep area clean, dry and to prevent infection and any issues occurring. Put patient onto scheduled discharge waiting list.
After all treatments are completed: Clean down room, ensure all notes are completed. Meet with colleagues for lunch, discuss any queries, concerns and feedback on how day is going. At the end of the day, clean down room, see if colleagues need any assistance.
Most fulfilling part of the job?
Watching patients who have struggled and have been in pain, have that issue resolved. Building rapport with both patients and staff and being part of a friendly and fantastic team!"
Why are AHPs important in mental health?
The NHS Long Term Plan describes AHPs as playing a central role in the delivery of person-centred care to help meet the changing demands the NHS is facing. The Mental Health Workforce Plan for England’ (2017) also highlights the vital and varied role of AHPs as first responders, in diagnosis, self-management, rehabilitation, and recovery of everyday life.
AHPs are the key to transforming health, care and wellbeing. Working at the top of their competencies and skills, AHPs lead mental health teams to new ways of working. Their expertise in rehabilitation and enablement is vital to move away from over-reliance on hospitals and towards professional interventions across health and social care settings.
What is the role of AHPs in services for people with mental health conditions?
AHPs are employed in health and care services to diagnose, treat, and support individuals to overcome the physical challenges that can be associated with their mental health
conditions.
Podiatrist video
Where can I study to be a podiatrist?
Work experience
Contact us
- Careers at South Tees: [email protected]
- Work experience at South Tees: [email protected]