Podiatry is a specialised field of medicine that focuses on diagnosing, treating, and preventing conditions that affect the feet, ankles and lower limbs. Podiatrists are autonomous healthcare professionals with the aim to improve mobility, independence and quality of life for their patients. Although they are autonomous professionals, they often work as part of a team in the health care setting. Podiatrists use a wide range of practical skills and treatments to help patients, often providing immediate relief of pain in a single treatment, which is rewarding for both the patient and podiatrist. 

Our podiatrist, Rachel Verity, has over 30 years of experience in the profession, and specialises in the treatment of diabetes-related conditions and those at greatest risk of developing foot-related conditions. To book an appointment, please contact Rachel on 07528807874. Rachel currently works Monday-Thursday, providing clinical appointments on Monday and Tuesday mornings, and Wednesday afternoons as required.

Treatments

Our service aims to provide high-quality intervention in order to prevent future complications and promote optimal foot health. Some examples of the treatment Rachel can provide are:

  • Essential Foot Care i.e. nail-cutting treatments for an elderly or disabled person unable to reach their own feet
  • Callus & Corn Removal, including with the use of chemical treatment
  • Nail Surgery using a local anaesthetic, e.g. for ingrown toe nails
  • Vascular and neurological assessment, and wound management for a patient with Diabetes or Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or an ulcer under their foot
  • Palliative care to a patient with, for example, Rheumatoid Arthritis, who has severe pains in their feet and finds wearing shoes difficult
  • Gait analysis and prescription of insoles and other orthotic devices

Self-care for your feet

The NHS website has a wide range of podiatry-related resources. If you are looking for self-care tips, please click here to view their detailed information on a number of different concerns.

Home visits

Alongside her clinic-based practice, Rachel is also able to provide a domiciliary visit for patients that have mobility issues or find themselves housebound (dependant on locality within Leicester/Leicestershire). Not everyone is able to access a clinic appointment and for this reason Rachel can provide care in the comfort and safety of an individual’s home.

Please note, Rachel is unable to provide nail surgery, and some other treatments, within a home setting, and it is preferable, if possible, to see her in a clinical setting. To arrange a home visit, please contact Rachel on 07528807874.

How can I make sure a podiatrist is qualified?

Anyone who calls themselves a podiatrist (or chiropodist) must register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). If they are registered with the HCPC they are allowed to practice under the title of Podiatrist/Chiropodist. Please also be aware that a Foot-care Health Practitioner is not another name for a Chiropodist/Podiatrist. Those that practice under this name are not registered with the HCPC, and although are able to carry out foot-care, are not as qualified/specialist as a Podiatrist. 

Go to the HCPC website to make sure you are seeing a fully qualified Podiatrist/Chiropodist.

It is also worth checking your Podiatrist is registered with The Royal College of Podiatrists. To be a member, the podiatrist will have completed, as a minimum, a 3-year course in Podiatry, leading to a degree-level qualification. Each Podiatrist then goes on to access Continued Professional Development, including mandatory yearly training in Basic Life Support and Anaphylaxis.  Many podiatrists go on to specialise in an area of interest within the profession, taking on more qualifications. For example, they may specialise in the field of Biomechanics, or Diabetes and the treatment of the high-risk foot, or forensics. Some go on to qualify as Podiatric Surgeons, taking on more surgical procedures of the foot and ankle.  

Information on The Royal College of Podiatry (including foot-care advise) can be found here.

To work for any NHS trust, the podiatrist must have completed the degree course accredited by The Royal College of Podiatrists. Leicestershire is covered by the Podiatry Department run currently by The Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust. A member of The College of Podiatry will have the letters RCPod after their name. For example:

Mrs Rachel Verity. Bsc Pod.Med (RCPod).  
HCPC Registration Number: CH11881