Welcome to the Podiatry Arena forums

You are currently viewing our podiatry forum as a guest which gives you limited access to view all podiatry discussions and access our other features. By joining our free global community of Podiatrists and other interested foot health care professionals you will have access to post podiatry topics (answer and ask questions), communicate privately with other members, upload content, view attachments, receive a weekly email update of new discussions, access other special features. Registered users do not get displayed the advertisements in posted messages. Registration is fast, simple and absolutely free so please, join our global Podiatry community today!

  1. Have you considered the Clinical Biomechanics Boot Camp Online, for taking it to the next level? See here for more.
    Dismiss Notice
Dismiss Notice
Have you considered the Clinical Biomechanics Boot Camp Online, for taking it to the next level? See here for more.
Dismiss Notice
Have you liked us on Facebook to get our updates? Please do. Click here for our Facebook page.
Dismiss Notice
Do you get the weekly newsletter that Podiatry Arena sends out to update everybody? If not, click here to organise this.

Foot Health care Practitioners? Is it worth doing a course?

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by moofour21, Feb 6, 2008.

  1. moofour21

    moofour21 Member


    Members do not see these Ads. Sign Up.
    :deadhorse:

    Hi there, firstly I hope I don't insult anyone with this post...Foot Health Practitioners or Podiatrists alike!

    I am interested in re training and have been looking into foot care. I work in an Osteopathic Clinic and I would be able to set up easily when qualified as it would compliment well what we are already doing here.

    Looking in to the training, I cannot commit to or afford to be a full time student again. I have a degree in Education but no science A level so this would be a problem for many Universitys doing a full time course.

    I keep coming across the Foot Health Care Practitioner courses at Stonebridge, SMAE and the College for Foot Health Care Practitioners. It would suit me far better to do this.

    I realise there are limitations to what you can treat with these qualifications, and it could never account for a full 3years. Is there a place out there for such practitioners? I have researced my local area and they are few and far between. This either means they are not popular, or there would be a good opening for me.

    Are these courses any good? If so which one is the best and what sort of things should I advertise I can treat when I complete one?

    Any help or advise would be gratefully received as I want to make sure if I do do something it has some kudos attatched and it be a thorough course that is recognised, rather than some mickey mouse thing that 'fully trained' podiatrist would laugh at!

    Looking forward to some replies.
    Many thanks
     
  2. Wendy

    Wendy Active Member

    Personally I would bite the bullet and train as a podiatrist. I qualified last year and although it was tough going (husband and 2 school age children in tow) it was enjoyable. I have now set up in private practice in an osteopathic clinic and the majority of people directly refered to me from the osteopaths are for biomechanic treatments. As I understand it FHPs are not trained to do this so your scope of practice would be very limited and any money you spend would have, in my humble opinion been wasted.
    Have you contacted any university to see if they would accept you on the qualifications you already have, it might be worth a try.
    Good luck for the future.
    Wendy
     
  3. Ella Hurrell

    Ella Hurrell Active Member


    I agree with Wendy - it really is worth doing the full Podiatry course if it's recognition you would like. An FHP is not able to register with the Health Professions Council. This is the state registration body for Allied Health Professions, who you MUST be registered with in order to practice as a Podiatrist or Chiropodist in the UK. It is illegal not to be registered if you use the title Podiatrist or Chiropodist. Having this registration via a University course would allow you to work in all fields of the profession.

    I don't know where in the UK you are, but I think the course at the Univeristy of Southampton can be done part time - although don't quote me on that one! Also bear in mind that you don't have to pay tuition fees for an NHS funded course, which Podiatry is (I'm fairly sure - it was when I trained anyway!Can anyone confirm this?).

    Good luck with your decision - I really hope you are able to do the full course.

    Ella
     
  4. twirly

    twirly Well-Known Member

    Hi Moofour21,

    :welcome:

    Personally i think you would do well to contact a few of your local Uni's which offer the Podiatry degree course.

    There should be someone available to give you guidance on available funding, foundation course information (available at some Uni's) but mostly they will be able to give accurate information RE: fulfilling your expectations of your chosen future career.

    I too went to Uni as a 'mature' student (I use the term very loosely) :D

    I had a family, house, job ec etc etc & although it was hard going the 3 years went very quickly.

    I would advise caution when paying up front (although obviously the degree isn't free either) for the opportunity to provide a somewhat limited service as an FHP. The providers of the FHP courses are in the business of making money. :rolleyes:

    I'm not knocking FHPs, surely free enterprise is what it is all about. It is just that I really believe that the degree route would provide you with a potentially more satisfying career.

    Good luck in whichever you choose.

    Best advice ever given to me was to ask as many questions as you can BEFORE you sign anything.:empathy:

    Best regards,
     
  5. Admin2

    Admin2 Administrator Staff Member

  6. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Hello moofour21,
    My advice, for what it's worth is to do some research. Contact the relevent training organisations to see what the course entails and how you will be able to practise at the end of it, in short what you will get for your fees and hard work.
    Then make contact with a chiropodist/podiatrist in your area and ask if you can come and have a look at what they do. Find one that is qualified to administer local anaesthetics and perform nail surgery (not all practitioners are) and who prescribes orthotics.
    Do the same for a Foot Health Practitioner/Professional. (They do not perform nail surgery)Then you will be in a position to make an informed choice. Hope this helps.
    regards
    Dido
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2008
  7. moofour21

    moofour21 Member

    Thank you so much for all your replies. I will continue with my searches and see where it takes me. Any more info from other readers is also welcome.
     
  8. Cheesy

    Cheesy Member

    yes Ella
    a podiatry degree for someone who lives in england and trains in england is free, in fact there is usually a bursary! (it is different if you live in wales and wish to study in england, and possibly for scotland too)
    Cheesy
     
  9. SuzieWuzy

    SuzieWuzy Member

    My understanding of the foot health practioners course is that they are mainly trained in nail care, callus debridement and corns.
    I have seen foot health practioners advertising and I am sure in some areas of the country they make some money, I am guessing they are cheaper than podiatrist generally and some less informed patients may opt for the cheaper option?

    Problems I would foresee is that care & residential homes generally will only employ a podiatrist/chiropodist for the residents so there would be no business for a FHP there. Plus the HPC are now doing this big advertising campaign about recognising that your practitoner is properly qualified and HPC registered. Therefore with this increased awareness I feel that people may be looking more towards finding a more qualified practitioner?
    Also when people are searching for 'someone to do their feet' they might search yellowpages etc under chiropodist/podiatrist for which you could not list yourself under that category.
    Lastly you'd also be severely limited in your scope of practice.

    They're just some of my opinions you might want to consider.

    I am a final yr pod student. There are mature students on my course who previously studied at higher education with no science qualifications so don't rule out the option of getting a place. You get a bursary although this is only about £270 a month if you have no dependents, you get your placement expenses back and are also entitled to a loan and get your fees paid.
     
  10. I would concur with Pretty much everybody on this thread. I've yet to speak to an Pod who wishes they'd just done the FHP course. I've spoken to a few FHPs who wish they'd done the degree!

    The degree opens so many doors! NHS, Specialisms, Minor surgery, etc and as another poster pointed out, many people / institutions will ONLY employ Pods.

    Consider not only your requirements now, but what you may wish to do in ten years! Give yourself the options.

    IMHO the Degree is the way to go.

    Good luck either way!

    Regards
    Robert
     
  11. peterjluce

    peterjluce Member

    Whichever institutions you contact, I suggest you ask them for specific information as to the present employment of their recent graduates- ie what percentage of them are now working in the field for which they trained, full-time or for sufficient hours to make the training worthwhile. If they don't have this information, ask yourself why have they not collected it?

    If you would find it difficult to relocate then you'd need to consider WHERE the jobs are also.

    As a mature student in England you would get a good NHS bursary and your course fees paid. Most of my class are mature students, including several single parents. It is however a tough course, requiring both manual skills, intellectual ability, a good memory, and a strong stomach.
     
  12. Beverley

    Beverley Member

    Hi

    Hope this helps, I am 43 with family and due to financial committments could not do a 3yr pod degree so I opted for a fhp course (distance learning etc). Anyhow I qualified last year and set up a dom business which is doing very nicely and I am earning a decent living. I mainly look after the elderly covering routine foot and nail care, corn and callous etc. I have the opportunity to work with a group of Pods and its fantastic as I get to observe in clinic and thats been so helpful to my cpd, I have assisted on nail surgery and for any of my patients who need treatment outside of my scope I have a team I can call on and refer to, ask advice etc.

    BUT

    A year on I realise how little I know and that as a fhp I am very restricted in what I can treat and what I understand. This may suit alot of folk, then fine you can earn a decent living. I would put a fhp qualification along side a podiatry assistant (from talking to nhs pods). There is no comparison for the real thing and I know to achieve what I really want I need to train properly as a pod.

    We are planning to go to Australia to live and I want to have a decent life and career so we are selling and going to rent so I can now go to uni and do a proper degree but I wish I had done this before, part of me feels I have wasted time but also I feel at least I know what I really want and can go and get it.

    Nobody can tell you what to do but hope this may help with your decision

    Good luck

    regards Bev
     
  13. Wendy

    Wendy Active Member

    Bev
    It was very interesting to read how much you didn't learn on the FHP course and how you are now able to study at uni. I wish you all the best with your studies and the work you have done will stand you in good stead for the practical element of any uni course. Good luck with your new life in Aus and hope all goes well with you.
    Wendy
     
  14. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Bev,
    Just out of curiosity which FHP course did you do?
    As an FHP what do you consider to be your actual scope of practice and what situations/conditions would you consider to be outside it?
    Dido
     
  15. carolethecatlover

    carolethecatlover Active Member

    Bev, here in Oz you would get into the Podiatry degree with no problem. You take a test, STAT, special tertiary admissions test, for mature students, it is dead easy. (Brag, got 99.8%) The Pod course at Newcastle is 50% over 30, and only the kids had 'qualifications'. Ex cops, ex nurses, ex printers.....we cover the spectrum. The courses in Pod are not in demand, so easy to get into. Phone me when you arrive here. 0414 600 998
     
  16. Beverley

    Beverley Member

    Hi

    Thanks for the info and I will def call you when we get there, much appreciated

    Bev
     
  17. kirstie walker

    kirstie walker Welcome New Poster

    Hi there

    I have never used this site before so don't know how it works at all but I am trying to find out the same thing. Did you find out anything?

    Thanks
     
  18. Johnpod

    Johnpod Active Member

    Hi!

    You need to make contact to learn directly what is on offer. View www.collegefhp.com. Tel: 0121 559 0180 and talk to Glenise or Mo.

    You can also download a Prospectus from the site.
     
  19. Ian Linane

    Ian Linane Well-Known Member

    Hi Kirstie

    The response to the original post I think answers your question. By all means explore the FHP options. Personally, if it is at all possible, no matter how difficult, I would follow the advice of others above and find a way to do the full time Podiatry courses.

    Cheers
    Ian
     
  20. kirstie walker

    kirstie walker Welcome New Poster

    Hi everyone

    Don't know how I managed to get to read this but I have, hurray!

    I am 48 (gross) and have been an RGN for 20 years, Intensive Care, Practice Nursing, District Nursing etc.

    I am a band 6 NHS research nurse at the moment full-time. I do not want to do a degree in podiatry as I cannot afford it. I have no partner now and a 16year old to support I need to work outside of my 9-5 work and get some additional "income" as soon as possible. I am not fit enough to do extra "nursing" on a ward so need something relatively physically undemanding.

    So does that change the picture from degree to FHP? I would have been a podiatrist had I known better many years ago but am not in the position to do it now. But I do agree wasted course probably IF you in a position to do the registered university course.

    Help!!!
    Thank-you
    Kirstie
     
  21. kirstie walker

    kirstie walker Welcome New Poster

    Hi again

    Had already checked out the FHP site in West Midlands and has a diploma course thanks. Other Institute is Smae which gives a diploma with 60 points (don't know level presume 2)This course is accredited by the Oxford Brookes University so I guess would be more "recognised" if the "Diploma" whatever that means, was officialised at some point? There is a another "Foot Health School" Stonebridge Associated Colleges that I need to look into. Hmmmm all very interesting.......

    Cheers
    Kirstie
     
  22. carolethecatlover

    carolethecatlover Active Member

    Here in australia, our pod course at the uni of Newcastle is full of 48+ year old nurses. Believe me. Carole
     
  23. victoriah

    victoriah Active Member

  24. normy

    normy Member

    AS A RETIRED CHIROPODIST IT SEEMS TO ME THAT i HAVE HEARD MOST OF THE AUGUMENTS ABOUT PROTECTION,REGISTRATION ETC over the past 30 years
    :pigs:
    I WAS STATE REGISTRERD.
    Another thought, only registered podiatrists can find employment in the NHS.
    I agree if the fhp becomes protected another title will evolve
    Norman:boohoo:
     
  25. Lovefeet

    Lovefeet Banned



    Aah but Normy.....things have changed dramatically over the last few years. Our peers who liaise with The Dept of Health in all parts of the UK are stating that cutting toenails can be done by anyone, including those who are high risk. Also, The Dept of Health and Social Care Dept, accept FHPs undertaking foot health treatments.

    So really it is cheaper and less hassle to be a Foot Health Practitioner. As a FHP you can also do orthotics.

    If you want to work in the NHS, and lets face it, there are not that many NHS jobs, then Podiatry degree is the way to go. :sinking:

    But in my opinion, if you have any sense, do the FHP course. I did a Podiatry degree and after working my butt off for 3 years for the degree and 5 years later (despite having private practice for 3 years), I still run at a financial loss every year....but notice that the FHPs are the ones who have the jobs at the nursing homes and private care providers homes.....and yet the FHP do not have "podiatry" responsibilities....So really I say go for it.....do a FHP course......tell me I know....I wasted my time with a 3 year Podiatry degree and also been HCPC Registered....:empathy:

    Go FHP courses....go go go....
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2013
  26. tsita78

    tsita78 Welcome New Poster

    This topic has started a long time ago but i really need your help as iam really confused of my next step.Iam a nail technician working in Greece and one year ago i did a short course of podology.This term is very misunderstood in Greece and as i can see in other countries too.By using the word podologist it reffers to the hfp as i can understand from what i read above.The problem in my country is that we don't have an academic training for podiatry or podologists if i may use this term and this is one of the main reasons that i got confused of how i could continue my studies in order to get the best education i could to provide special services.To be honest i want to be able to do what podiatrists do apart from the surgery staff.Does this mean that i have to choose a HFP course?another problem i have is whatever i choose it has to be distance learning because i own a salon and i cannot study abroad.What is your advice for my case?
     
  27. Wendy

    Wendy Active Member

    Hello...you are in a difficult situation indeed. I just googled podiatrists in Greece and the ones I came across seemed to have trained over here in the UK. Would it be worth you contacting the International Federation of Podiatrists www.fip-ifp.org. Also if there are any podiatrists near to you perhaps having a chat with them (generally we are a friendly bunch)
    Good luck with your future :D
     
  28. tsita78

    tsita78 Welcome New Poster

    hello and thank you for replying :) . I thought of contacting some podiatrists in my country although i don't have any near my town but as i mentioned above i want to avoid the surgery stuff that come with the education of podiatry. Is there any other way to get info of what is best to choose ?Any FHP around that could help withe their scope of practice? :)
     
  29. fishpod

    fishpod Well-Known Member

    Yes kirstie just take the money do crap training be crap earn crap feel crap like a fake Louis Vuitton bag. If you trained the same to be a nurse you would have killed half your patients. Roll on quality care commitment Insight. No bugger it do as little as possible b s people and take the money tell yourself you are the buisiness it makes you sleep better at night .take the route of least resistance be like the young of today no work X factor instant fame don't bother to learn your craft.
     
  30. Catfoot

    Catfoot Well-Known Member

    tsita78,

    I am a bit puzzled as to what your question actually is. You say

    So what is it you actually want to do, career-wise? :confused:
     
  31. tsita78

    tsita78 Welcome New Poster

    Maybe i wasnt clear enough. What kind of course do i need to take to perform everything that has to do with feet and orthotics apart from surgery?
     
  32. Wendy

    Wendy Active Member

    What type of surgery do you think pods do? In the USA pods do surgery such as bunionectomies etc however if you trained in UK the surgery you are able to do is nail surgery using LA, this is not major surgery but does require a level of understanding of complications with LA and competence in performing the procedure however once you have qualified as a pod if you are in PP you don't need to do this if you don't want to (though it would seem a waste of skills).
    Good luck
     
    • Optimistic Optimistic x 1
    • List
  33. fayp

    fayp Member

    Another point to consider, is that no private health plans will pay out for FHP's treatment, they all will only pay out for HPCP registered people.
     
  34. Catfoot

    Catfoot Well-Known Member

    That's a good point fayp.

    I have picked up a lot of work from FHPs because their qualifications aren't accepted by major Health Insurers for re-imbursement of fees.
     
  35. Wendy

    Wendy Active Member

    In the UK people who only deal with the orthotics side of feet (no other interventions at all) would be physios.....
     
  36. Yiannis

    Yiannis Welcome New Poster

    Hello Wendy,

    I would like to welcome you to podiatry arena regarding your concerns FHP V Podiatrist.

    I am a podiatrist in Australia who studied as a mature age student.

    At one stage when for many reasons I had to leave my podiatry degree I too turned to foot care which a wise University lecturer told me "It is not a step backwards" excuse the pun.

    So i did become a foot and hand carer which in essence is the Greek word of Chiropodist.
    Obviously laws prevented us to use the title podiatrist or chiropodist however you could use Foot Carer or Foot Care Practitioner or as in the UK Foot Health Practitioner.

    The bottom line, upon qualifying I resumed my studies in podiatry whilst working part time as a foot carer and this financed my course whilst being a husband, father and full time uni student.

    You are limited to basic foot care, you need to check upon the laws of debridement as in Australia there is a state that does not permit scalpel use.

    My advice follow your heart and if you love podiatry as I do go for it you will not look back and the quality of study makes the course so interesting.

    Only do foot care as a stepping stone to podiatry if you cannot get into to podiatry because of lack of chemistry, physics. By the way, I had no science subjects behind me when I started.

    If I did it I know you can.

    Good luck from Down Under.:santa:
     
  37. Wendy

    Wendy Active Member

    Hi Yiannis, thanks for the welcome but perhaps it should be me welcoming you! I was trying to help tsita78 decide if it was worth doing an FHP course as they are based in Greece and was not sure what they actually wanted to be able to do. I too worked part time during my degree (not foot based though) and although hard work was totally worth doing.
    Enjoying being a fully qualified pod :drinks
    Wendy
     
  38. ljw2016

    ljw2016 Welcome New Poster

    HI
    I Have both FHP and podiatry degree trained.I was an FHP for about 5 years and found the role enjoyable but limited with regards to scope of practice.I finished my 3 year podiatry degree course last year and find I can cope with most things that that have presented in front of me.I should say that Ive also been a trained Nurse for 20 years also.
    I loved my podiatry degree.It was tough.Im a single parent and I moved from Ireland to England to do it.The course comes with a bursary.Its not a lot of money but it is managable.
    Go for the Degree.Its well worth the effort!!
     
Loading...

Share This Page