Podiatry

Podiatry is the field of healthcare specialising in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the foot and aspects of the lower limbs.

The name “Podiatry” has largely replaced the more commonly known name “Chiropody” and is protected by law, meaning that it can only be used by those registered with the Health Professions Council. The name “Podiatry” is indicative of the higher training and skills, including foot and ankle surgery.  Foot and ankle problems are very common, affecting one out of four people at some stage in their lives.

The Podiatry service In Stoke on Trent Primary Care Trust aims to keep the population of Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire’s feet healthy and performs a vital role in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of foot complications. The team maintain the mobility of patients and this includes those in high risk groups such as Diabetes or Rheumatoid Arthritis who are at risk of developing serious foot complications. We do this by ensuring that we provide a full service covering:

• A full initial assessment of foot health
• The general treatment of common foot lesions including ingrowing toenails, bunions, heel spurs, infections, foot complaints associated with Diabetes.
• Nail surgery under local anaesthetic
• Specialist wound care clinics for complex foot ulcerations
• Diabetic Screening
• Biomechanics – the interaction of the joints of the foot and lower limb when the foot hits the ground.
• Orthoses manufacture.
• Musculoskeletal conditions such as plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, tendinopathy.
• Foot Health Promotion – to enable patients to be able to take more responsibility for their own foot health and where they are able to self care and prevent disease or complications.

The department is staffed by Podiatrists registered with the Health Professions Council and trained Podiatry Assistants. They cover several locations across Stoke on Trent and North Staffordshire including health centres, clinics, community hospitals, University Hospital of North Staffordshire, residential homes and patients own homes for those who are house bound.

Opening hours vary from clinic to clinic however Podiatry care can be accessed between the hours of 9.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday for patients who are registered and outside of these hours at certain locations.

Patients need to be referred to the service by their GP or Health Care Professional and all first Podiatry appointments are booked centrally through the local appointment booking centre at Shelton Primary Care Centre. For any follow up appointments necessary patients will be offered an appointment at a clinic venue of their choice.

Details of these can be obtained from our main base at:

Podiatry Department, Shelton Primary Care Centre, Norfolk Street, Shelton, Stoke on Trent, ST1 4PB. Telephone: 01782 222952.

Alphabetical list of podiatry clinics