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Considering your role within the Society, George, your allegiance to the Society is understandable. However, I am not in the habit of outing pseudonyms.

I make no apology for openly disagreeing with aspects of the Society, in particular their obvious failure to support the private practitioner. To overtly state that I should do so quietly, divulges your unrealistic expectations of members to hand over membership fees and ` obey` without question.

George, I have not ridiculed you personally and I apologise if that is how you read my posts. You have inaccurately accused me of not engaging with and being ignorant of the function of the SCP. This is simply untrue, as is your supposition that I started this thread to bring the SCP into disrepute. I am genuinely pleased that the Society has finally asked for feedback from its private practice members and do encourage all to complete the survey. Whilst I am an eternal optimist, and would like nothing more than to see the SCP take note and act on behalf of all of their members, the fundamental flaws within the SCP as highlighted by Mark, render this a pipe dream, IMO.

Respectfully,
Bel

__________________
Just a rock `n roll refugee.

If...

'George Brandy'

'I think it rather obvious that George Brandy is a psuedonym. I find it wearisome and disagreeable that a cohort, having resigned, remain rooted to the spot with the sole aim of spouting vitriol aimed at anything SCP. Finally may I remind you that whilst you are a member of SCP there is a code of conduct to abide by'.

I think there comes a point when to be taken seriously requires confirmation that you have the courage of your convictions. I think 'George' you have reached that point and that removing your your anonymity would be a positive move.

Regards

John Mason

The flaws - if that is the correct word - lie with the individuals responsible for strategy and policy. The SCP is actually the membership. The same problems would still challenge a new body or any of the others if they took over the majority representation. Institutions find it difficult to reform or change just as in the same we as we find changing direction difficult too. Ask any smoker! Changing behavioural patterns is extremely difficult. To effect change in this profession you need a handful of focused individuals with specific skills - especially communication!

If the profession was so inclined we could have a very different outlook. The really interesting question is why it isn't......We've got the leadership we deserve - no more, no less.

__________________
www.mark-russell.net

"citing an indisposition due to special circumstances"

My location

Bel

It is entirely up to you if you out George Brandy or not. Anyone who sends me a personal email via Podiatry Arena is responded to with my real identity. Any one of these communicators could have "outed" me during the last 7 years. They haven't...why ever not? I am certain Mark Russell will have advised you who I am and once my name is blazed in all its glory, then it will be closely followed by a resounding echo of who the hell is that!

Despite your previous dismissal, we have never met.

I have no role within our professional body other than to uphold manners, decency and respect to those who work under the umbrella title of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. I work hard for our local branch and region as this is where I believe the power house of SCP could be and should be....none of these fanciful plans are needed for yet another professional body. Read and understand SCP Governance before you follow your heart. For a promising researcher in private practice, you may be throwing away a chance to shine.

As far as attempting to bring the professional body into disrepute, I stand by my statement outed or not. Always be mindful if you choose to kick your Professional Body on a public international forum you also aim that kick at the staff who continuously work hard on our behalf. Its funny, I never have a problem receiving appropriate advice, information and timely responses from SCP staff but if I don't get my own way, I move away quietly. Perhaps my moral and ethical behaviour has been appreciated...oooo how big headed is that!

As an aside this survey is one of several Private Practice surveys, so no "finally's" needed. Perhaps this is the first one you have noticed?

GB or is it?

Being a fan of 1980's British wrestling and being an anonymous pseudonymed character on podiatry arena, I can only ask that you do not 'out' George Brandy (podiatry arena's very own Kendo Nagasaki) for fear that you could stifle some of the cloaked honesty that might arise from an anonymous, or semi-anonymous podiatry arena poster. Personally, I enjoy the freedom to write what I perceive to be the truth about my profession from the relatively safe cloak of an anonymous pseudonym username with less fear of upsetting my colleagues and my standing in my small corner of my profession.

One of the strengths of anonymous internet posting is the ability to provide a truly honest opinion without fear that your career may be negatively impacted upon by some of the other elements of your peers. I also understand that the same anonymity has it's limits and my 'virtual' credibility probably suffers as a result. How I aspire to be virtually credible! As much as I dislike the acronym, that actually made me laugh out loud (LOL)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kendo_Nagasaki

For the record, George. Neither Mark nor anyone has revealed your identity to me. Other than that, I have nothing to add.

Have a good weekend, George.

__________________
Just a rock `n roll refugee.

If...

Bob, ( I dont know why, but I always think of Black Adder when I write 'Bob')

I agree and have no intention of outing anyone.

__________________
Just a rock `n roll refugee.

If...

given this level of mutual respect perhaps we could transfer it to the other thread about anonymous postings and calm that down?

George is a paragon of virtue on this site and as such WE should respect his pseudonym.

Bob G

I am nowhere near as beautiful/ handsome as Bob from Blackadder!

REG,
Unfortunately, no-one can act on your suggestion as the thread you refer to has been closed.

Make of that what you will

regards

Catfoot - AKA Heather/Mary Poppins/Jessica Rabbit/ etc etc

__________________
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this."

Darling, never. All your secrets are safe with me. Absolutely. The meat and two veg. But how much influence does the branch network - or its representative group - the delegate assembly, actually have? On policy and strategic direction? Precious little, I would suggest.

__________________
www.mark-russell.net

"citing an indisposition due to special circumstances"

My location

Mark - you are being facetious. I believe you know, like me, that whatever Brach think will make not one iota of difference once policy and strategic direction has been decided.

Catfoot, I believe I'll keep calling you Catfoot if you don't mind.

Still no answer from George regarding real-life examples of how PP is being helped by Branch activity.
Would anyone else like to chip in?
Real-life examples only though - none of this "we've formed another sub-committee and are working very hard on your behalf" nonsense.

__________________
Old guys rule!

Just before Christmas last year I finished afternoon surgery and headed down to Lytham to do some last minute shopping. On the way, whilst sitting at a T junction waiting to turn right, I noticed an elderly man kneeling down on the pavement struggling to change a car tyre – outside the Catholic Church in Ansdell. It was a busy night and I was sitting at the junction for a few minutes and kept glancing to my right at the old man who seemed to be getting quite exasperated – even punching the wing of the car at one point. I thought, perhaps, that the wheel nuts were seized or too tight and he was struggling to release them – and then as the traffic eased and I pulled out and as I drew level with him I noticed that he had badly gashed his right had which was bleeding profusely.

He had parked in front of a line of cars so I pulled into the Church car park and went to see if he needed any help. As I approached, however, he quickly gathered himself and went and sat in the car behind the one he was working on and wrapped a filthy cloth around his hand to stop the bleeding. I went over and knocked on his window – he had locked the door – and he eventually rolled it down a little so we could talk. He was a well-dressed gentleman – early seventies – and appeared quite normal. I asked if he was ok and if he would like a help to change the car tyre – I explained I had been watching his efforts from the junction about 50 yards away and noticed that he had cut his hand badly. I had a first aid kit in the car – could I give him a dressing and bandage? His reply took me aback.

“I wasn’t changing a tyre and there’s nothing wrong with my hand, thank you.” He said dismissively. I looked at the blood on the road and on his car (the one he was sitting in) and said “are you sure?” but by that time he had wound the window up and was staring impassively at the car in front. Very strange – so I went over to the car in front – followed the trail of blood - and then noticed all the damage; scratches along the paintwork – and both tyres had been slashed, the front tyre still deflating slowly. On the car windscreen was a “For Sale” sign. At that point I realised that this old man had not been trying to change a tyre but had, in fact, been vandalising the vehicle – for whatever reason – so I went back to his car and knocked on his window and asked him just what the heck was going on?

“Don’t know what you’re talking about” “Nothing to do with me” Obviously you were mistaken” “I’m waiting for my wife who is with the Parish Priest making final arrangements for the Christmas Service” “There’s nothing wrong with my hand” “Don’t know anything about damage to the car in front” Were the answers to my questions.

At that point – a passing police car pulled over to see what I was doing standing in the middle of the road surrounded by blood with a mystified look on my face. Fortunately for me, the policeman was a patient – and I explained what I had seen and mentioned the wound on his injured hand. At this point he was asked to open his car and stand outside – which he did – one-handed; the right hand never leaving the pocket of his jacket. The policeman asked what was going on and the old man told him “nothing at all” – indeed he was mystified by my behaviour and suggested I was imagining the whole thing. The car in front was not his and had nothing to do with him. Just when it couldn’t become more bizarre, the Priest and the old man’s wife came out from the Church and over to see what the fuss was about. Turned out the old man was a church elder – and a very respected member of the church community – and the Priest could easily vouch for his integrity. If there was any damage to the car, then perhaps the police really needed to be looking in my direction instead!

Oh these men of great faith. Thankfully commonsense prevailed – the policeman took one look at the car and the damage and the blood – then asked the old man to take his hand from his coat pocket – which was now saturated in blood. In his pocket was a broken Stanley knife and screwdriver. At which point, he capitulated and admitted everything! The car in front belonged to a trader who used the spot outside the Church to sell his cars – much to the annoyance of the Churchgoers and elders. What made him snap and vandalise the car who knows – but I felt an overwhelming sadness as he was led away to the police station under arrest – a sadness that persisted over the festive period. He was charged and eventually fined, but what I found disturbing was the nature of his denial and his ease and willingness to shift blame to others – me in this case. At one point, when the policeman was inspecting the scene – his wife suggested that any damage would probably be the work of some local youths.

The point of all this is, that for some, the passing of the years and with it all the experiences life throws at you, does not necessarily bring with it good judgement and wisdom and that those who should know better are sometimes the biggest vagrants of all.

I get the same sense of sadness when I read some of the bile that’s written on this site and other podiatry forums, especially by people like you, Catfoot, Heather or whatever name you wish to call yourself this week – and Bob Golding and others. It is an embarrassment to acknowledge that you belong to the same profession as I do and I am extremely sorry that the rest of the international podiatric community have to endure such diatribe on a regular basis. The point of Podiatry Arena is the superb clinical and academic resource the website gives to us and future generations of clinicians whatever country they practice or study in. There is no place for vindictive, juvenille behaviour and if you can't understand why Admin keeps having to close UK threads down, then there is something seriously wrong with your judgement.

Sincerely

__________________
www.mark-russell.net

"citing an indisposition due to special circumstances"

My location

Mark,

and to think I have just wasted all that time reading yet another of your fantasies.

The point of Podiatry Arena is the superb clinical and academic resource the website gives to us and future generations of clinicians whatever country they practice or study in.

Perhaps you should take note of this and limit your postings to that ethos. Then there would be no reason for scum like me to challenge you.

Mark,
You said
I have no idea what 'bile' you refer to. Examples, please.

If you don't like my 'bilious' posts, then feel free to put me on your 'ignore' list - then you won't have to see them anymore. Simple.
You sound like someone rubbernecking at a motorway pile-up saying "oooh isn't it awful?" and then carrying on gawping.

I have no idea what 'other forums' you refer to. Examples, please.

They all have an 'ignore' facility as well, and I don't remember appointing you as an apologist. Incidentally, as you don't belong to the 'Podiatric Community' (International or otherwise) why is it your concern? You are trading as an unregulated practitioner by your own choice and have therefore chosen to abdicate any membership of such groups.

Re names - It was you who started calling me 'Heather', so now you don't like the game you started, anymore? What a party-pooper.

Does it really matter what I choose to call myself?

Isn't there a mirror in that tiny clinic of yours ?

You don't belong to the same profession as I, (or any other podiatrist for that matter), as you chose to deregulate and are now outwith the profession. See above.

I'm glad we agree on something.

That not withstanding, what relevance has your 1,000 word diatribe about geriatric vandals to do with the above ?

Confused Catfoot

__________________
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this."

Bob...Lol too. Looking forward to seeing you back up in our neck of the woods some day soon. We need a down to earth Consultant Foot and Ankle Repairer Podiatrist ASAP.

Mark - you never did get to grips with the power in the Regional Branch Committees did you? The Delegate Assembly, in my opinion, is an expensive talking shop but a fantastic jolly for anyone who chooses to go along; a great social occasion. It is controlled by Council and always will be because the rule book says so. To date I have no secrets. I prefer openness, honesty and direct speak. I like my facebook picture taken on the ascent of Maughton Scar, Crummackdale nr Austwick in my beloved Yorkshire Dales. I am more than happy for you to publish it.

Davidh - apologies for the delay. Your impatience for an answer has amused me greatly, thank you. I had to seek consent to publish details of your request on Podiatry Arena. Consent has been declined. So sorry....but they are such simple marketing strategies that anyone with an ounce of imagination could replicate without the specific detail. The success is based on the same strategy being spread across a wide area. Those who have joined in with the branch remain in successful, profitable practices....we counted them all out in 2008 and have counted them all back in again in 2012 at the start of another round of CPD events. I await your ridicule.

Now forgive me but as the tone of the thread has begun to deteriorate I will move on...unlike some I do not take the Mary Whitehouse approach.

GB

For those that that are thinking; `whooooooooooo?`
Mary Whitehouse

__________________
Just a rock `n roll refugee.

If...

George (may I still call you George).

You appear to be easily amused.
So let me get this straight. The SCP branches have some simple marketing strategies which can help any Branch member in PP. So simple in fact that anyone with an ounce of imagination could replicate without the specific detail.

But you have been refused permission to give real-life examples?

Here is some ridicule, but just a tiny bit. You could call it homeopathic riducule. After all - we don't want you splitting your sides with laughter. I hope you find it amusing all the same.

.

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Old guys rule!

A little presumptious! Having been Branch Chair for several years I have a reasonable idea how the committee structure works. Power? I guess that comes down, as always, to the individuals and how adept they are at getting things done. You have your Branch Network Group - and that's good - it works for you and your local colleagues, but on a national basis, what support and direction has SCP given to private practice over the last 30 years in our professional lifetime? As far as the DA is concerned, you know my views are consistent with what you have said.

Kindest
Hugo

__________________
www.mark-russell.net

"citing an indisposition due to special circumstances"

My location

Mark,

Hopefully my last ever post as I have requested Craig to remove me from this site.

But I think you are confusing Branches and as George pointed out the Regional Branch Committees. Ddi you ever get involved with them?

They hold a unique place in SCP governance, probably the only structure that can officially challenge Council. No disrespect but was your Chairmanship of a branch as successful as your foreshortened time on Council?

Now HUGO,

No it's not possible you cannot be the HUGO of TFS fame the one with the remarkable appendage. You were weren't you it all makes sense now. He was also a super fantasist.

A due

Bob.

I am well aware of the Regional Committee network which was championed by Hilary Walker when she was on Council - as well as the reaction from some of her colleagues. Standing institutions rarely relish close scrutiny, especially from within their own organisational structure. Witness the difficult relationship between the Commons and the Lords for example. At the end of the day, success is measured by progress and results and the resistance and reluctance to change within the SCP to embrace private practice is plain for all to see. Hilary's Regional Committee structure was a step in the right direction and would have been the natural forum for communication between the membership and executive/council, but instead the Delegate Assembly was the preferred route - why? Because the Branch network was regarded as being too private practice biased and the NHS and management didn't have enough of the platform.

As for being your last post Bob - that's a shame. Of course you don't need to have Craig remove you from the member list - you just need to stop posting, if that is what you wish. However, I think everyone has a contribution to make somewhere along the line and it's not as though you hold radically different views from anyone else that's been the problem recently - rather the way you put these views across. Something perhaps everyone is guilty of from time to time. I am curious however, of your recent fascination with men's bodies - from the semi-clad builders on your roof to your recent fixation of someone's appendage - thankfully not mine. Is there something you need to tell us before it all becomes too much?

__________________
www.mark-russell.net

"citing an indisposition due to special circumstances"

My location

Mark,

still waiting to be removed.

As far as the regional branches go it was Hilary Walker that championed them but as one of her supporters I was at one stage chair of all of the regional branches.

Our move was scuttled by a colleague who decided to scuttle the development, at that point I chose perhaps with hind site incorrectly to quit. A looser hey?

Hilary Walker was perhaps one of the best Council members ever elected had a vision beyond many of the old guard. She does however represent a quality not common in that she has not festered on her 'failure' but continues to support her local community and branch.

Any attempt to smear her name is despicable. Why you have mentioned her is also mysterious?

As far as my 'obsession with recent fixation with mens bodies' that is just another figment of your vivid imagination.

Who do you think you are to criticize my writing, what gives you the right to arbiter of good style?

While you may pride yourself on your wordmanship your ability to follow an argument and debate is minimal.

Obviously I can stop posting but like you opting out of the HPC and the SCP I no longer want to be associated with a forum I cannot trusts.

I do not do smilies.

And you were Hugo tell the truth.

Mark,
I am still awaiting a response to my post of 11th August.

I believe you posted the above, a pity you can't abide by you own maxim.

It seems you have a fixation with names that begin with "H", first Heather now Hilary and Hugo, will it be Hope next ? Or maybe Hannah or Harriet ?

I'm sorry, I really am.

Catfoot (or whatever you wish to call me)

__________________
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this."

Regrettably and once again, Bob - I have no idea what you are on about or how you arrive at your conclusions. On that note - good luck; I have discovered a fine feature of Podiatry Arena - the ignore button, which I have used to good effect these last few days for the likes of Shavelson, Rothbart, Magill et co. Perhaps in time Craig will upgrade this to "ignite" or "incinerate" but for the time being you will have to be content with the other cheek.

Sincerely

__________________
www.mark-russell.net

"citing an indisposition due to special circumstances"

My location

I have tried to understand where various contributors are coming from and glean something of the history behind the issues that seem to have plagued the society and any moves to progress situations. It has become quite difficult to do this now.

I'm sorry but I have to say that this thread has descended into becoming a hugely disheartening one where matters seem completely unresolvable and a place of irreconcilable differences.

__________________
Ian Linane

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Podia-Clinic
Manor Farm House
Southwick
England
www.podia-clinic.com

Soft Tissue and Joint mobilisation Courses.
Details available via PM

Hi Ian,

You won't find the SCP's true past history at the SCP - for good reason. Anyone else who speaks the truth about their recent (40-yr) history is told it is no business of theirs, never mind that some of us were in the SCP until quite recently

This thread has gone the way of every thread that touches UK podo-politics.
I make no apology for having a go at George. He painted a wholly unrealistic picture of the SCP, and couldn't substantiate his claims. The chap may actually believe what he writes.

Anyway, I think it's time to call a halt on this one.

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Old guys rule!

Ian,

As a new comer it is understandable that you are confused.

It took me 15 years to get an insight.

However you are not an innocent on forums being closely associated with David H and his forum.

In fact you once threatened me with legal action.

If you really want to understand the irreconcilable differences you need to research the history of UK chiropody, may also be interesting to research the history of US Podiatry. It's all there.

While the history is not good the modern position is even worse. All attempts to unify the profession have been thwarted by entrenched positions. IMO, well known, it is about professional closure.

While we have a two tier system there cannot be agreement.

Whow loads of posts before I am removed.

Bob G

Still here,

David yet again an assertion you cannot justify.

It is not the present cohort that hold back progress but people like you.

How recently were you in the SCP, correct me if I'm wrong but in my time you have always been one of Mr Batt's ladies, in the foreground dismissing FHPs not allowing them on your 'fast track biomechics is simple' course but they could do your 'practice course', then of course your slimming franchise supported by Mr Batt was open to all.

Ba humbug

Mark,
You said
Can I just point out that it was I who told you about the 'ignore' facility, and that in fact you did not "discover it" as you stated above. See below :-

This is just to put the record straight, a pity you may not see this post !

regards Catfoot

PS

to REG,
I think you will wait a long time for Amin to act. Some time ago I asked for my account to be terminated but was told that they did not cancel accounts

__________________
"Thousands of years ago, cats were worshipped as gods. Cats have never forgotten this."

This thread has run its course.

__________________
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