Podiatry and Chiropody explained
Podiatrist or Chiropodist –Who should I see?
You may be wondering just this- “what is the difference between a Chiropodist and a Podiatrist and who is the best for me to see”
First things First- There is no difference!
The general public impression appears to be that a chiropodist only deals with hard skin and nails whereas a podiatrist is able to address the gait and foot structure. That is not the case and here in the UK there is no difference between the two.
In fact members of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists voted to drop the name Chiropodist and our professional body is now known as the College of Podiatry.
So, there is no difference, and you can choose to see any Chiropodist or Podiatrist (registered in the UK with the Health & Care Profession’s Council-HCPC), who should be able to provide a high level of care for your lower limbs.
Perhaps it should be noted that prior to 2005 there was no protection of our title and there were two main routes to be able to practice, either a 3-year degree (previously a diploma) or a 5-week correspondence course. When the protection of title came in those who had only done the correspondence course were required to meet certain standards to ensure the protection of the general public. A large number did not do this and so forfeited the right to call themselves a Podiatrist or Chiropodist (it is in fact illegal for them to do so or to suggest that they are able to provide Chiropody/Podiatry treatments.) Many of these then chose to call themselves Foot health practitioners and there are still courses today which allow a person to train as and call themselves foot health practitioners. These practitioners are not regulated by the HCPC The Hcpc is the body regulating the professions allied to medicine and as such helps protect you and ensure you are treated appropriately for example with properly sterilised instruments.
So, with that cleared up you now know that you should always see a
Podiatrist/Chiropodist.