It can sometimes be daunting going to an appointment if you don’t know what to expect. Where do you sit? What do you bring? Do you need a GP referral?
That’s why we’ve created this blog post for you, to hopefully put your mind at rest and answer all of your potential questions before you attend your first appointment.
Prior to Your Appointment
You don’t need a GP referral to see a private podiatrist. Podiatry is available for children and adults of all ages. If you have a problem with your feet or you just want a one-off check-up, then give us a call and we’ll book you in. If you do want to see a podiatrist in the NHS then you will need to see your GP first.
It’s advised that you bring a list of any medication you are on, and any shoes you would like the podiatrist to assess (don’t bring your whole shoe collection though please!). You can wear whatever shoes you like to your appointment, although we advise that you wear your most common shoes so the podiatrist can assess your typical daily footwear. The podiatrist is not there to judge, only to offer you professional advice.
On Arrival
For your first appointment at our clinic, we recommend arriving a few minutes early to fill in some paperwork. You will be given a couple of forms to complete before you see the podiatrist, so take some time to fill in the answers. Don’t worry if you can’t answer all the questions; the podiatrist will go through the form with you during your appointment. Also, if you need assistance filling in the form, one of the receptionists or the podiatrist can help.
The podiatrist will greet you in the waiting room and you’ll be shown to the treatment room where you’ll then need to take a seat.
During the Appointment
The podiatrist will look through your form and obtain a full medical history of you to help identify possible areas of concern which could lead to foot and leg problems. Be prepared with any important information on the following:
· Current medical problems, medications and allergies
· Past surgeries
· Any symptoms you are experiencing throughout your body
· Family history
· Current and previous health habits
The podiatrist will then give you an expert examination of your foot and lower leg to check your blood flow, feeling, sensation and strength. They will identify any area of concern, including deformities such as bunion or hammertoes, muscle weakness and skin and nail changes.
After the examination, the podiatrist will provide a treatment and/or offer a treatment plan which may include change in footwear, insoles, physical exercises or general foot care advice. In some cases, referrals to other specialists may be necessary.
After Your Appointment
You would have been advised by the podiatrist whether you should be seen regularly (6-8 weeks usually) or as and when you need to. After your appointment, you can book another one straight in or you can call up when it’s convenient for you. Most new patient appointments are £51 – please see our Podiatry page for our price list or Contact Us if you are unsure.
Make sure you follow any advice the podiatrist gave you and do not hesitate to contact the clinic if you have any questions about your foot care. Also, take a look at our blog post ‘Prevent Future Foot Problems with these Simple Tips’ for some basic foot care advice straight from our lead podiatrist, Lorraine Humphrey.
