11/06/2026
👣 Not all foot care services are the same – and that’s important to understand.
As a registered Podiatrist, I often meet patients who are unaware that there are significant differences in the qualifications, training and regulation of professionals offering foot care services.
In the UK, the title Podiatrist is protected by law. To use this title, a practitioner must have completed a recognised degree programme and be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the statutory regulator responsible for ensuring high standards of practice and patient safety.
Whilst many individuals provide foot care services, not all have the same level of clinical training or regulatory oversight.
A registered Podiatrist is trained to:
✅ Assess, diagnose and treat a wide range of foot and lower limb conditions
✅ Recognise signs of diabetes, circulatory disease, neurological disorders and other health conditions that may first present in the feet
✅ Manage complex and high-risk patients safely
✅ Provide evidence-based treatment and know when further investigation or referral is required
✅ Deliver care within a regulated professional framework, with ongoing education and accountability
When choosing a healthcare professional, price should never be the only consideration.
Ask yourself:
🔹 What qualifications do they hold?
🔹 Are they HCPC registered?
🔹 Are they appropriately insured?
🔹 Are they trained to recognise serious underlying health conditions?
🔹 Are they accountable to a professional regulator?
Your feet carry you through life, and the health of your feet can often tell us a great deal about your overall wellbeing.
Choosing a qualified, regulated healthcare professional helps ensure you receive safe, effective and appropriate care.
Because when it comes to your health, expertise matters.
👣 Helen Jones MRCPod
HCPC Registered Podiatrist
South Devon Foot Clinic