We are very excited to announce that the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (IoCP) has been renamed as the Institute of Podiatrists (IoP).

Before 1938, there were over 20 different institutions representing podiatrists, or chiropodists as they were then known.  Over the following years, many organisations unified in order to better represent the interest of chiropodists in the UK . The Institute of Chiropodists (IoC) changed its title in January 1995 to the IoCP to bring the organisation into line with the internationally adopted term ‘podiatry’.

Today, podiatry is the term almost exclusively accepted and used within modern, professional medicine. Its roots ‘pod’ and ‘iatros’ meaning ‘foot’ and ‘physician or healer’ being much more appropriate.

The IoP is incredibly proud and passionate of our founding principles, which support the very best practice and progression within the field of podiatry. We will strive to attain the highest possible standards within education, passionately support the concept of ‘life long learning ‘ for all members, fully embrace democracy and transparency and continue to embrace and develop professional working partnerships for the growth and progress of podiatry throughout 2024 and beyond.

Whilst we make this change it is important to note that ‘chiropody/chiropodist’ continue to be HCPC protected titles and members are welcome to continue using them if they choose to do so.

Members are able to use the new IoP logo on their websites and marketing materials. A copy of this is available in the members area of the website or by emailing info@iop-uk.org, all other policies including copyright and social media apply. Use of our logo is not permitted without written consent.

Injections of medicines including  intra and peri – articular injection therapies

 by HCPC registered Podiatrists with POM-A annotation

Qualified podiatrists who are awarded licences in POM-A (prescription only medicine- administration), as either part of their undergraduate degree or as stand-alone qualifications are given statutory permission to administer medicines by injection that they may lawfully access**. The POM-A licence also contains a specific permission to obtain (without the usually required prescription) :  a range of injectables which include various local anaesthetics, adrenaline (epinephrine) and the anti-inflammatory synthetic steroid methylprednisolone. This permission continues whilst said podiatrist remains on the statutory register of the Health and Care Professions Council, and ceases should they leave, or be removed from, the stated register.

Whilst so registered they can legally obtain**all of the medicines above, including the steroid, and administer** them, without further training or permission.

However, it is a requirement of safe and responsible practice that podiatrists with POM-A  must ensure that they a) have a full and detailed understanding of the pharmacology of said medicines including their pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (essentially how the body affects the drugs and the drugs affect the body) and b) they have suitable medical indemnity insurance for use of the items above. In respect of the local anaesthetics, a) is included in the approved courses which grants POM-A ,  so b) is included in most malpractice policies. In respect of the licensed steroid however, the Institute requires the completion of an approved course which explains, in substantial detail, the action of when TO use, and perhaps even more importantly when NOT to use the permitted steroid.  By virtue of the holding of a POM-A licence it is clear that the holders are already trained and safe injectors and the simple techniques of safe administration will already be known, but nonetheless, these are specifically restated (with some practical tips and information pearls) during the course and delegates to the course will readily grasp the analogy between  local anaesthetics and steroids.

To this end, the Institute’s course is designed by, and taught by, highly qualified podiatrist independent prescribers and due to its carefully designed structure permits the Institute’s insurers to offer insurance cover to allow members who have successfully attended the Institute’s approved course to commence its use independently without requiring further permission or ‘mentoring’. **Prescription-only-medicines that usually require prescription by a recognised prescriber can, where defined by law, be made available to defined members of certain legally regulated professions under statutory ‘exemptions’ to the 1968 Medicines act and its numerous subsequent amendments. The exempted substances may be purchased at retail or wholesale from regulated pharmacies or other legal UK sources. Note that ‘administration’ in the context of the above must be within the professional activities of the aforesaid practitioner with the said ‘exemption’.  The exemption is not in law a ‘prescription’ and does not permit mixing of medicines,  nor does it permit the holder of said exemption to direct  others to mix and or administer them (a patient specific direction from a registered prescriber is required for directing others to mix/administer) The position of epinephrine is less well determined by the above, as this falls within the parameters applying to medicine identified as being within schedule 19 of the 1968 medicines act (and amendments) wherein its legal category is relaxed when used with the provable intent of saving or preserving life in an emergency situation.

18th October 2023

An official statement regarding Platelet Rich Plasma has been issued by the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

MHRA Platelet Rich Plasma

Recommended titles for practitioners and students

The Institute of Podiatrists are excited and proud to have commissioned 2 dynamic and important handbooks written specifically by way of an introduction to the foot and as a supportive learning companion. Written by David R Tollafield, a highly experienced podiatry professional and renowned podiatric author.

An introduction to the foot & its common problems in the adult

The challenging subject of foot and lower limb mechanics is admirably clarified and easy to follow in this 180-page paperback, Pocket sized book. Well- illustrated, clear and informative, this book will appeal to podiatrists and foot health practitioners at all levels, whether you are new to the anatomy and workings of the foot or as a reference for reminder. This book will also appeal to other professions and healthcare professionals who have an interest in the foot.

The Foot – a professional learning companion

This companion course, sets out different styles of questions, offering tips for open and closed methods, especially multi-choice options.

Divided into two parts: questions in the first and detailed explanations in the second part. Supporting self-assessment for foot health practitioners and students on university courses, this handy aid helps understand the finer parts of foot health science in eight study areas.

Written by Helen Rawse

To read this article please click here https://iop-uk.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/Bullous-Pephigoid.pdf

Case Notes is a regular feature in the IoCP quarterly publication – Podiatry Review. Every member will have seen unusual patients and/or will have unusual conditions which will be of interest to the readership, colleagues and peers.

Case Notes is an expansion on your own medical notes ensuring you do not identify the patient, unless you have written consent.

We welcome all submissions of your findings to be featured in our Podiatry Review, please contact media@iop-uk.org for more information or to submit your case!

The passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II 

Throughout her long reign, the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists have always sent loyal greetings to her Majesty on the occasion of our annual general meetings, and this has always been diligently acknowledged by one of the royal staff and such acknowledgement transmitted to the membership. 

As an organisation I know that the membership will join the Board, and myself as Chair, in expressing our sincere and heartfelt condolences to her Majesty’s family.  

In addition however, I believe we are joined by uncounted millions in both the UK and so many countries around the world who are sincerely grateful that HRH Elizabeth Windsor has for so many years been a living symbol of the very best that Britain can offer in personal qualities. Loyalty, dedication to duty, compassion, unswerving devotion and courage are some, but by no means all of those qualities shown by her day after day, year after year and decade after decade. 

Rest peacefully your dear Majesty, you have been an inspiration to us all.  With respect and grateful thanks, 

Martin Harvey FPodM PGC IP BSc DPodM. Chair, Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists 

Health Education England is launching the standards for the foot health support workforce.

The Foot Health Standards are part of work which aims to increase the supply of podiatrists in the NHS, while expanding the role of the support workforce. The Standards will ensure that the NHS recognises the knowledge and skills of the wider foot health support workforce.

The Standards were open to consultation in late 2020. The responses of stakeholders have been used to further develop the Standards and to better understand the issues and challenges around this topic.

The Standards are intended to support the NHS in utilising the full skills mix of the foot health workforce to meet demand, by providing a clear understanding of the footcare treatments that the NHS podiatry support workforce and foot health practitioners can safely perform. The needs and safety of patients is central in this work. Employers and managers can use the Standards to effectively plan, develop, and deploy their support workforce.

From our work with support workers and services across the country we know there is wide variation in their education and training, and how they are deployed. This work will ensure that:

1. Patients and service users have access to skilled and consistently well-trained support workers who have a defined role within their team
2. support workers have access to development structures that provide opportunities to follow a richer and more rewarding career pathway
3. services can address the current variation in support worker roles, banding and progression
4. support worker roles can be at the heart of improvements in service delivery and transformation, including new models of care.

The main objective is to increase the supply into podiatry and ensure that the NHS recognises the knowledge and skills of the support workforce.

How to use the Standards

NHS managers can use the Standards to understand the treatments that different parts of their foot health support workforces can safely deliver. This will support them in ensuring that they have in place workforces with the skills mix they need to care for patients. This will help managers design services to meet increased patient demand.

Education providers can use the Standards to underpin the development of educational pathways into the NHS podiatry support workforce and onto pre-registration education and training programmes in podiatry. This will support the development and growth of the support and podiatrist workforce

The development of the Standards was overseen by a Consortium of Foot Health Leaders who gathered to address the problem of the falling recruitment numbers on traditional routes into podiatry. The priority of the Consortium was to develop a foot health career ladder and educational resources that will support and increase the number of podiatrists and podiatry support workers working in the NHS.

The work of the Consortium has enabled a better understanding of the workforce that provides foot care, with the aim of optimising this workforce for the benefit of those who use the services of any practitioner, in England, who work in this arena.

To view the standards visit Standards for the Foot Health Workforce | Health Education England (hee.nhs.uk)

8th September 2021,

Health Education England have today launched The First Contact Practitioners and Advanced Practitioners in Primary Care: (Podiatry)

A Roadmap to Practice is a supportive document that provides a clear educational pathway from undergraduate to advanced practice for clinicians wishing to pursue a career in primary care.

For more information or to download the document please click the link below

First Contact Practitioners & Advanced Practitioners – Podiatry | Health Education England (hee.nhs.uk)

A national patient safety alert has been issued for the use of Liquefied Phenol 80%.

Please click the below image to read the full alert.

England

Coronavirus – updated information ahead of July 19th 2021

The Governments coronavirus advice is due to change. England will move to step 4 of it’s roadmap in the easing of all restrictions. For full details of this please visit Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread from 19 July – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The current advice for healthcare settings is that face coverings and social distancing measures should/will remain in place.

This advice means that patients, including the most vulnerable patients, can continue to safely seek medical treatment.

 

Cases of COVID-19 are high and are expected to rise. Therefore, the continued use of face coverings for both staff and patients as well as the continued use of PPE for practitioners is encouraged.

 

 

Wales

Coronavirus restriction changes 17th July

 

Wales will move to alert 1 on 17th July. The changes from alert 2 can be found here Current restrictions | Sub-topic | GOV.WALES and full details on the restrictions here Current restrictions: summary | GOV.WALES

 

 

Scotland

On the 19th July ALL of Scotland will move to level 0 of the Scottish Governments strategy plan. Full details of level 0 can be found here Coronavirus (COVID-19) protection levels: what you can do – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)

 

 

Northern Ireland

Restrictions remain in place, please see here Coronavirus (COVID-19) regulations and guidance: what they mean for you | nidirect

 

 

Republic of Ireland 

ROI is currently in the recovery phase of their response to the pandemic.

For a full list of restrictions updated 14th July  visit gov.ie – Public health measures in place right now (www.gov.ie)