The difference between Foot Health Practitioners (FHP) and Podiatrists comes down to their levels of training, their scope of practice, and how they are regulated
Foot Health Practitioners
Training:
- Complete a short course or diploma (often part-time or distance learning)
- Don’t need a university degree to practice
- Training can take a few months or up to a year
Scope of Practice:
- Can treat routine foot care issues such as:
- Nail trimming
- Corns and calluses
- Fungal infections (athlete’s foot, minor nail fungus)
- Cracked heels
- FHP Practitioners provide basic foot care and maintenance for general foot health.
Regulation
FHP are not regulated by a statutory professional body in the UK (like the HCPC). They are unable to refer to themselves as a “podiatrist” or “chiropodist.” Some FHP may join voluntary registers or associations however (e.g., SMAE Institute, Alliance of Private Sector Practitioners).
Podiatrists (previously referred to as Chiropodists)
Training:
- Hold a degree in podiatry (usually 3–4 years study at university).
- Must complete clinical placements as part of training.
Scope of Practice:
- Can perform everything an FHP can, plus:
- Diagnose and treat foot and ankle conditions
- Prescribe medications (if trained in prescribing)
- Conduct biomechanical assessments and gait analysis
- Provide orthotic devices
- Treat diabetic foot complications
- Perform nail surgery (e.g. partial or total nail avulsion)
- Manage wounds and infections
*Some podiatrists choose to specialise in a sector of their industry (e.g. Musculoskeletal Podiatry, General Podiatry etc)
Regulation:
- Must be registered with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council).
- Protected title: Only HCPC-registered professionals can legally call themselves “Podiatrists” or “Chiropodists” in the UK.
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