Is your Chiropodist / Podiatrist HCPC registered?

Is your Chiropodist / Podiatrist HCPC registered? 

The HCPC is the Healthcare Professions Council.  It is a government agency set up to protect the public health.  They ensure that anyone who calls themselves certain titles like Chiropodist, Podiatrist or Physiotherapist or Dietician is genuine and meet the national standards for training and qualifications.  Anyone calling themselves these things who isn’t HCPC Registered is breaking the Law!

What is the difference between a Chiropodist and a Podiatrist?  

The simple answer is, there isn’t one, they mean the same thing.  Podiatrist is a newer word for Chiropodist.  These days Podiatrists tend to be involved in other work as well as the more common nails, corns and hard skin treatment.  They get involved with providing insoles to improve the way people walk and can use local anaesthetics and some can prescribe certain tablets.  All Chiropodists / Podiatrists qualifying now have to have a BSc in Podiatry which is a full time 3 year degree.

Why is it important that the HCPC monitor who is and who isn’t registered? 

To try to help protect the public against anyone calling themselves a Chiropodist / Podiatrist or calling themselves HCPC registered when they don’t meet the national standards by not having the recognised qualification and training.

“I am seeing a foot health professional, is this different from a Chiropodist?”  

The simple answer is “YES.”   Foot Health professionals are not statutorily regulated, and therefore the HCPC does not regulate the standards of training and qualifications they do.  They cannot call themselves a Chiropodist or a Podiatrist but they might be called other titles like foot health professional, foot care specialist, foot carer etc.

Chiropodist / Podiatrist’s have undergone the HCPC recognised qualification which is at the moment a degree in Podiatry (BSc).

We hope you have enjoyed reading this article and found the information helpful.