Chiropodist or podiatrist: who should you book?

If you searched for a chiropodist in Shepperton and found a clinic calling itself a podiatrist, you have not taken a wrong turn. In the UK, chiropodist and podiatrist are two titles for the same profession. Choosing an appointment is more about what your feet need than which word is on the sign.

What is the difference between the two titles?

Chiropodist is the older, familiar term; podiatrist is widely used today. Both are protected titles, and practitioners using them must be on the Health and Care Professions Council register. Neither title, by itself, means someone is more senior or offers every type of foot treatment.

You can check the profession and registration status on the HCPC register. The regulator lists chiropodists and podiatrists together.

At Thameside Podiatry, your appointment is with Aaron Bhangra, our HCPC-registered podiatrist. If you have always called this a visit to the chiropodist, that is still a perfectly useful way to describe it.

Which appointment is right for nails, corns and hard skin?

Routine Skin & Nail Care is the relevant appointment for nails you find difficult to cut, uncomfortable corns and a build-up of hard skin. It gives you time to explain the problem and have the skin and nails assessed before suitable care is agreed. You do not need to diagnose it yourself before booking.

It helps to describe the difficulty plainly: “I cannot reach my toenails”, “this patch hurts in my work shoes”, or “one nail is much thicker than the others”. That tells us more than trying to pick a medical name from a photograph.

Our routine foot care guide explains the appointment and current fee. For a closer look at the problems it covers, read about corns and callus, or help with toenail cutting.

What if the problem is foot pain rather than skin or nails?

Tell us where it hurts and what brings it on. Pain while walking or running may need a different assessment from routine nail care. Booking a skin-and-nails appointment because it sounds familiar can leave too little time for the problem you actually want to discuss.

Our foot and ankle pain page explains the assessment route. Heel pain has its own guide. If you are unsure, contact the clinic before choosing an appointment. A clinician can advise whether podiatry, physiotherapy or another service is appropriate.

Is a foot health practitioner the same thing?

“Foot health practitioner” is a different title. Do not assume that it means the person is registered with the HCPC as a podiatrist. Ask about qualifications, insurance, the care offered and when they refer someone on. Some people providing foot care also hold podiatry registration; check the individual rather than judging by an advert alone.

For ongoing medical concerns, explain your health history when arranging care. An appointment needs to fit both the foot problem and the person who has it.

What should you bring to your first visit?

Bring a list of your medicines, details of allergies and the shoes that cause trouble. If another professional has given you a foot-care plan, bring that too. There is no need to trim or file a painful area in preparation; leave it for the assessment.

The clinic is at The Courtyard, Ferry Lane, Shepperton TW17 9LQ, by Nauticalia. Parking is available on site. If getting from the car to the clinic may be difficult, contact us before travelling so we can discuss what you need.