Cheapest place to buy podiatry instruments

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Hi,

I've recently qualified and I'm thinking about getting set up to do some domiciliary work on a part time basis. Does anyone know of anywhere selling podiatry instruments very cheap (it's not being a cheapskate - its just hard in the beginning after being a broke student for 3 years).

Also can anyone suggest an acceptable and cheap alternative to the massively expensive domiciliary bags?

I'd be extremely grateful for any other advice anyone is willing to give me about starting off in dom work.

Thanks Suzi xxxx

 

Hi Suzi,

Probably the cheapest way you could get instruments and a domiciliary bag is second-hand, and it's usually a case of being in the right place at the right time for these, maybe someone is retiring or upgrading their practice instruments and doesn't need their old ones anymore... Here in Australia they normally advertise through the Podiatry Association publications, so maybe they have a similar set up over there?

Regards

Donna

 

Hope this helps.

Hi Suzi,

Well, you asked for advice, so here is my two pennyworth

For some supplies & instruments places such as: http://www.beautyexpress.co.uk/index.html used to be a lot cheaper but are now catching up. Quality may not be ultra ultra but its acceptable.

For dom cases, try aluminium tool cases from places like B & Q or photo shops like Jessops. 20 to 30 pounds or so.

For gloves and consumables somewhere like http://www.nu-careproducts.co.uk is quite good, use them myself.

And think safe. Always take names, address and phone of where you are going and leave a full list with someone else. If you feel 'wrong' about a 'dom' either before or when you get there, play safe, don't go.

Good idea to link up with a local surgery based Pod to refer your nail and soft tissue surgery cases to and a Pod Surg' for your bone surgery etc. Don't be afraid of losing patients by referral, the Pt's always equate you, the referrer, as the start of them getting better.

Don't try and compete with people who are charging silly prices for 'pin money' if you want to earn a fair living and enough to re-invest in equipment, charge mid to upper prices for your services. Its easy to be a busy fool.

I'll send you a link to my practice website as a private message. It may give you a few idea's. Last time I put open e. mail addresses on a forum (to be fair, not this one) I had so much spam my mailbox nearly gave up. Including some that definately should not be sent to a middle aged man. Talk about shocked!.

Good luck!

Martin

 

Do not panic about being a poor ex student, and do not fall into the trap of all the financial institutions throwing cash at you. If you do only home visits, take what you will definitely need and slowly build up the things you may need. Get into no debt until you can afford it!!!!
In two years you will not know yourself.
Good Luck!!!!

 

I find that B&Q do a great 'vanity' case and home base do great tool boxes. These can carry all your stuff and also double up as a seat. Ebay also sell some instruments and fpadding etc, and they work out cheap enough.
It won't take long to be able to buy a few good pieces after a while, but don't waste money on dom bags, a good tool box or vanity case does the job brilliantly.

Hope this helps somewhat.

 

Suzi

i use a good quality tackle box for home visits, lots of compartments for all supplies and heaps cheaper than those marketed to podiatrists. Try ebay for some instruments or put an ad in your association magazine.

best wishes in your career


bearfootpod

 

Hi ,

I'd echo previous postings and try B&Q for cheap aluminium lockable cases. they have segmenters too so you can organise things . Beware of beauty instruments - they are made to a lower steel standard and may not survive decontamination and sterilisation procedures. Also , they are not CE marked for use in medical practice and therefore technically illegal. VERY cheap instruments may be laboratorystandard and will definitely not survive any decontam/sterilisation procedure.

 

Hi Suzi
Am also newly qualified fhp and our tutors said a good plastic tool box was a good place to start...
hope this helps.
s

 

I have a silver coloured beauty trolley. I keep all the items I might need in the bottom part and all the items I will definitely need in the top part. The top part all opens up -and you can work from it as it's at the correct height for this. Bought it a couple of weeks ago on eBay for £75.

 

I would't buy cheap.

I have nippers that I purchased 20yrs ago and as long as you look after them they repay you over the years.

you only have to get 1 or 2 sets to start with gradually adding as you increase your work load.

I would also get a proper bag even if its second hand, you are supposed to be a proffesional so should look it, not a tool bag or beatitians bag which will always look just that.

you could also talk to the traders, they are often willing to " do a deal" after all by looking after you at the beginning, they hope you will use them later, I have found one trader in particular who has been very helpful and he is now rewarded by me using him for just about every thing including expensive chairs and drills, all because he was so helpful at the begining.

 

Yes I agree it is best not to buy cheap. my decision on the beauty trolley was not based on price but on what was 'best fit for the job'. I think providing you purchase plain silver or black it does not look beauty related and does look very professional. I did my research and did not exclude podiatry cases.

I can fit everything in, including a full size drill and unit in the bottom. and the top at a height of 79 cm opens up and contains everything needed for treatment and doubles as a work surface.

The only downside? it has a stupid velour interior! however that is soon remedied by lining it with vinyl material which I will do myself.

So I would say do not dismiss beauty trollys - just don't buy pink!

 

Hi Suzi,

I have a load of instruments for sale, please see my thread for details.

Any questions contact me.

All in great condition.

Cheers

 

Hi Suzi,

I have a load of instruments for sale, please see my thread for details.

Any questions contact me.

All in great condition.

Cheers

 

I have been in practice for over 12 years and must have spent at least £1000 on various podiatry bags but the best ever has been a Stanley Workstation. Costs about £30 from B&Q or Halfords and it holds an amazing amount of weighty things and is great for doms (completely plastic so easy to keep clean). Would never go back to pod bags - they are a waste of money if you ask me and do not hold very much.

 

use disposables £2.80 a pack no autoclave needed no insurance for pressure vessel no maintenance contract , no clean/ dirty room needed 100 packs £280 pounds there is your next 100 domis sorted no capital outlay.add the £2.80 to your bill no cost at all. also no batch recording etc etc. All the best.

 

Hi Suzie,
I hope you don't mind me contacting you. I've also recently graduated and looking to start with domiciliary in West Wales.

I was looking for affordable single use instrument packs to start with and noticed your thread already.

Did you manage to find any good sources? I've started looking in the catalogues of the usual suppliers and the packs appear to be around £5.

I'd be really grateful if you could share any tips.

thanks & best wishes !
M

 

ALso type in what you want into Google. They will point you in the right direction for your budget.

 

This company provides good enough quality kits at less than £5. You can also order online

http://www.disposablemedicalinstruments.co.uk/100-basic-podiatry-pack-concaved-blade-nippers-14-5cm

Robin

 

Thanks RobinP ! just what I was looking for. appreciate it!
best wishes
M

 

as Robin says patrick chaney at disposable medical instruments is your man best prices in the uk / canada

 

In the past...when hiring new grads we ask them to forward an email, fb post etc to all other new grads in their year level and offer to buy them. 2nd hand is the way to go.

By the way...does anyone know of ways of reducing ongoing expenses in stock???
I feel that Briggate is expensive in providing routine stuff like blade, gloves, gauze etc...does anyone use a different supplier? Do any of the others have good service, are they cheaper???