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Hi Suzi,

Probably the cheapest way you could get instruments and a domiciliary bag is second-hand, and it's usually a case of being in the right place at the right time for these, maybe someone is retiring or upgrading their practice instruments and doesn't need their old ones anymore... Here in Australia they normally advertise through the Podiatry Association publications, so maybe they have a similar set up over there?

Regards

Donna :)

Hi Suzi,

Well, you asked for advice, so here is my two pennyworth

For some supplies & instruments places such as: http://www.beautyexpress.co.uk/index.html used to be a lot cheaper but are now catching up. Quality may not be ultra ultra but its acceptable.

For dom cases, try aluminium tool cases from places like B & Q or photo shops like Jessops. 20 to 30 pounds or so.

For gloves and consumables somewhere like http://www.nu-careproducts.co.uk is quite good, use them myself.

And think safe. Always take names, address and phone of where you are going and leave a full list with someone else. If you feel 'wrong' about a 'dom' either before or when you get there, play safe, don't go.

Good idea to link up with a local surgery based Pod to refer your nail and soft tissue surgery cases to and a Pod Surg' for your bone surgery etc. Don't be afraid of losing patients by referral, the Pt's always equate you, the referrer, as the start of them getting better.

Don't try and compete with people who are charging silly prices for 'pin money' if you want to earn a fair living and enough to re-invest in equipment, charge mid to upper prices for your services. Its easy to be a busy fool.

I'll send you a link to my practice website as a private message. It may give you a few idea's. Last time I put open e. mail addresses on a forum (to be fair, not this one) I had so much spam my mailbox nearly gave up. Including some that definately should not be sent to a middle aged man. Talk about shocked!.

Good luck!

Martin

__________________
Darn it Jim, I'm just an old country Chiropodist - not a miracle worker

Do not panic about being a poor ex student, and do not fall into the trap of all the financial institutions throwing cash at you. If you do only home visits, take what you will definitely need and slowly build up the things you may need. Get into no debt until you can afford it!!!!
In two years you will not know yourself.
Good Luck!!!!

I find that B&Q do a great 'vanity' case and home base do great tool boxes. These can carry all your stuff and also double up as a seat. Ebay also sell some instruments and fpadding etc, and they work out cheap enough.
It won't take long to be able to buy a few good pieces after a while, but don't waste money on dom bags, a good tool box or vanity case does the job brilliantly.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Suzi

i use a good quality tackle box for home visits, lots of compartments for all supplies and heaps cheaper than those marketed to podiatrists. Try ebay for some instruments or put an ad in your association magazine.

best wishes in your career


bearfootpod

Hi ,

I'd echo previous postings and try B&Q for cheap aluminium lockable cases. they have segmenters too so you can organise things . Beware of beauty instruments - they are made to a lower steel standard and may not survive decontamination and sterilisation procedures. Also , they are not CE marked for use in medical practice and therefore technically illegal. VERY cheap instruments may be laboratorystandard and will definitely not survive any decontam/sterilisation procedure.