[Phil]

Good morning all from a very warm Rugeley.

Like Rita, read your well written comments with interest. I am not a political animal and maybe very naive about may things with our profession so your posts informative cheers David.

I am dismayed that the profession I trained for and qualified in, A chiropodist in the field of Chiropody is almost becoming a dirty word. The case of Mark Russell is an interesting one in this case:

https://www.hcpc-uk.org/mediaandevents/pressreleases/index.asp?id=706

He has a BSC in Chiropody, appropriate at the time, he decides not to join the HCPC and they prosecute him for using his title he is very well formally recognised for being able to carry out appropriate footcare.

So simply put I am a chiropodist, it says so on my qualification certificate. I am a member of the HCPC who also confirm this is my title I now have to pay for the privilege of having every year. However it is becoming an unpleasant smell within the profession and the Society dropping the title condones the sneering carried out by many Podiatrists who look down their noses at practitioners like me.

A General Council is a possibility but like a coalition government I feel is destined for failure. I don’t perceive that there will ever be a mending of the deep and long standing divide of the professional bodies as long as it is encouraged to have a 3 tier system of professionality. I.e: FHP’s, Chiropodists, Podiatrists.

How many folk do we see now still clinging to the title ‘state registered’ over HCPC registered because old descriptions, though obsolete, are still recognised…? As younger folk come through the ranks am sure it will become a memory and an article in history books but cannot deny IMO in the current day and age chiropodists still have their place….

[Phil]

Cheers for the reply. Not an ideal situation and one I feel most private pods and so some degree NHS Pods are frustrated by on occasion.

Seems the A & E department can still be an option as though there is a duty of care the speed up access to critical care, logistical arrangements required to nessesitate an appointment are outweighed by being able to call up at A & E:

and start ball rolling much quicker.

Feel I can only do my best and the patient has much more sway within the NHS system than I have as a Private Practitioner so to some degree have to make best advice then leave it to them..

[Phil]

Hello David,

Surprised you may remember me as many years ago but remember the course well as the first CPD event I ever attended. Made quite an impression.

Certainly we may have chance to cross paths while at IOCP events and look forward to seeing you again.

Am sure we shall speak again.

Kind regards,

Phil…

[Phil]

Good afternoon all.

Happy to see this Forum up and running and hope it will get utilised to the benefit of the IOCP members.

Hello David. Remember coming to one of your courses you ran some years ago with Ian Linane in Tamworth when I first qualified. Great to see you on board with the Institute and to see how your professional role has changed. As I recall Ian was an Expert Witness at that time?

As I sit here happily distracted by this Forum from the tedium and anxious task of compiling an audit for the HCPC, yes my turn to get called, one does focus somewhat on the finer points of the profession and its future….

Anyhow before I digress happy weekend all and enjoy the sunshine…

Phil…

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