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Advice Please on FHP course

Discussion in 'United Kingdom' started by sister, Jan 21, 2010.

  1. sister

    sister Active Member


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    Hello everyone! I am an nurse whose registration lapsed due to living abroad for 15 years. on my return to the uk i have been looking into fhp courses and would like to know if any of the schools are 'better' than others in the opinion of members. Also are there any plans to introduce a national qualification as the nearest thing i have found is a manicure/ pedicure option in the nail technician course.
     
  2. CaroleGraves

    CaroleGraves Welcome New Poster

    Hi Sister

    I can not comment on which colleges are best for the FHP course. However I attended The College of Foot Health Practitioners based in Blackheath, Birmingham back in 2008 and gained my Diploma there. My personal experience of the course and college was and is of a very positive and professional one. Like all courses though, its imperitive that one takes CPD and the thirst for continued learning and development seriously to keep abreast of the world of foot health.

    Regards

    Carole
    FHP
     
  3. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Hello sister,
    If you have a look back through some "old" threads on this site I am sure you will be able to gain quite a bit of information about FHP courses.

    I would never advise anyone to take an FHP course. I would encourage you to go for the Podiatry degree as it will open so many more doors for you.

    Carole, as an FHP can you please tell me what your scope of practice is and who regulates you? This is something that I have never been clear about.

    Dido
     
    Last edited: Jan 22, 2010
  4. DAVOhorn

    DAVOhorn Well-Known Member

    I would compare a Nursing Degree/SRN with a 3 year Podiatry Degree at a University

    An FHP is a correspondence course of short duration with minimal clinical training hours.

    An FHP course does not lead to registration with the Health Professions Council which is the regulatory body for the Allied Health Professions.

    You will not be able to work within the NHS as an FHP.

    The world of Podiatry today offers you many opportunities.

    But the start is the Degree at an approved University.

    From this you can go on and do the Masters and then PhD, you can do surgical pupillage and become a Podiatric Surgeon within the NHS and in Private Practice.

    An FHP course offers you none of this.

    As a trained nurse why would you do an FHP course?

    regards david
     
  5. sister

    sister Active Member

    To Carole, Dido and Davohorn

    Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply to my question, in response to your advice I have spent a lot of time reading the threads on this site [ and regrettably looking at another site ] and would like to make the following points;-
    The degree option for people like me i.e. - age, location, time available etc is not, unfortunately, always the best option- by the time I qualified it would nearly be time to retire!
    I live in a VERY rural part of the country, chiropodists are available but if you live within one of the many small villages that have no access to public transport then relying on volunteer drivers is difficult and taxi charges on top of treatment costs prohibitively expensive.
    I would love to do a shorter - nationally recognised qualification in foot care that would be acceptable to chiropodists /podiatrists and would open NHS and PP doors for me as an assistant- but there isn’t anything like that available.

    ‘SO WHY NOT START ONE?’

    Couldn’t you, after consultation with all parties concerned, design an appropriate course that laid out the minimum standards that students had to fulfil to qualify?
    All the issues that cause concern could be addressed, the professionals would know exactly what standard carers would be qualified to, FHPs would have the option to be included [With top up training as required] and all training schools would either have to meet the criteria or bow out.
    If a new job description was picked e.g;- ‘Chiropody Technician’ then it could be protected and you would have to be registered to use it.
    As a former nurse I totally agree in accountability and having professional qualifications- but if there is nothing between two days on an NVQ nail technicians course and a podiatry degree where do I go?
    Nurse practitioners work unsupervised and gain extended role certification through clinical assessments and written exams, if this example was used as a role model it would negate the word ‘assistant’ which would allow people to retain their own practice.

    If confusion arises in the public mind as to which organisations are professionals, what qualifications mean etc then I would suggest a ‘full on’ advertising campaign by your professional bodies.

    I am a middle aged woman with many skills to offer looking for a health related occupation – but until a suitable course is available I will just have to see if Tesco need anyone on the checkout.

    Again thank you to the people who took the time to reply to me and to anyone else reading this – please consider the points I have raised.
    Sister
     
  6. cornmerchant

    cornmerchant Well-Known Member

    Sister

    Not sure which parallel universe you are on, and suspect that you were directed to "another site" which may have horrified you but which speaks volumes for the discord between pods and FHPs.

    Pods are actualy training FHPs in the private sector, some aginst the code of conduct for their professional body. The NHS are training assistant podistrists, maybe this is something that you could do?

    The truth is , you are looking for a short cut to an instant income. If you dont have a conscience and dont want to do more that basic nail cutting, the FHP courses anywhere in the country will give you the paperwor you need to set up practise.

    Cornmerchant
     
  7. sister

    sister Active Member

    I had tried to suggest acourse of action that would benefit all parties, I tried not to be rude or insulting.
    sister
     
  8. DAVOhorn

    DAVOhorn Well-Known Member

    Dear Sister,

    May i suggest you become a Nursing Care Assistant as you have more than the skills and experience necessary.

    I do not believe that you have looked at the cost of setting up a Podiatry Practice.

    The cost of an Autoclave, Ultrasonic Cleaner, Instruments several sets of maintainance and compliance with the legislation would make a part time practice:

    UNECONOMIC:deadhorse:

    And doomed to Commercial Failure :butcher:

    So i would again suggest you become a care assistant.

    If you are keen to look after peoples nails then i would suggest you apply to your local NHS PCT to become a Podiatry Assistant.

    There are courses which are accredited by the NHS and the Regulatory Bodies.

    You work under the instruction and supervision of a PODIATRIST.

    You will not be an Autonomous Practitioner.

    If you go FHP route you would be autonomous and legally accountable in a court of law for your conduct.

    So you have a decision to make.

    Be part of the FORMAL HEALTH CARE SECTOR.

    Or NOT.

    regards David
     
  9. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Sister,
    I would agree with everything that Davohorn has said and sadly the choice is that simple. Do you want to work in the regulated or unregulated healthcare sector?

    I also think you should consider the physical and pyschological demands of your proposed career and whether or not you would be able to cope for the rest of your working life. This statement is not meant to be ageist, just practical advice from someone who will not see "middle age" again, even through a telescope!

    Providing a purely domiciliary service at the bottom of the footcare market for any length of time is a recipe for back problems and demorilisation.

    The NHS has plenty of openings in all sorts of healthcare positions, phlebotomy, physio assistant, CSSD etc. Why not check out the NHS career website?

    Dido
     
    Last edited: Jan 23, 2010
  10. sister

    sister Active Member

    Thank you both for your helpful comments, I appreciate your time

    Sister
     
  11. CaroleGraves

    CaroleGraves Welcome New Poster

    Hi Dido

    As a FHP we are regulated by The Alliance of Private Private Sector Practitioners which supports both private and public practice. My work is within the Private sector and unlike cornmerchant's comments on FHPs, I certainly am not just a nail cutter or rely on Pods to train me. Please feel free to view the web site: www.thealliancepsp.com.

    Carole
     
  12. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Hello Carole,
    Thank you for your response.
    You say -
    So can you explain how this "regulation" works to keep standards high? What sanctions would be taken against someone who was a poor practitioner in order to protect the public?
    You also say -
    OK, so what is your Scope of Practice as I cannot see it on the Alliance website?

    Dido
     
  13. Hey sister.

    From what you tell us I would recommend seeking an nhs post as a footcare technician grade. This will see you doing what most people consider to be "chiropody". Also you will have the oppertunity to continue improving you knowledge and if the fancy takes you, to become involved in areas like assisting in surgery, removing casts, re dressing wounds after pod surgery, making orthotics or all sorts of other things.

    And later... Who knows what dreams may come. It's the only footcare qualification accepted by the society and the nhs.

    Regards
    Robert
     
  14. CaroleGraves

    CaroleGraves Welcome New Poster

    Hello Dido

    Thanks for your response. The regulation works in maintaining a high standard of practice through CPD's and Open Clinic forums. To remain on the Alliance register all practitioners must be actively involved in these and obtaining the required CPD's to stay on the register and maintain Insurance cover. Any malpractice on behalf of the practitioner, the Alliance will strike the practitioner off their register.

    The scope of work covers areas such as general foot care, including, ingrown toe nails, corns, callus reduction, fungal nails, biomechanics and orthotics. The role is rather like the role within the NHS 'Footcare Technician'. I do not claim to know it all and respect the work of Pods and any area of work that I am not qualified to do, I refer to Pods. I am in the process of considering furthering my career by taking a degree in Pod to further my scope and I would be very grateful if you have any reccomendations.

    Regards

    Carole
     
  15. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Hello carole,
    I am pleased to hear that you are thinking of expanding your scope of practice by taking a pod degree, there are 13 Schools of Podiatry in UK

    www.feetforlife.org/careers/schools/html

    Now, going back to the Alliance register you say that any malpractice would cause the culprit to be struck off the register. How do you define malpractice? who would decide if the practitioner was guilty? And how would this stop them practicising and how would the public know they had been struck off? Do the Alliance produce a list of 'rogue' practitioners for public information?

    You still do not say where the FHP scope of practice is documented? The Chiropodist/podiatrist's scope of practice is on the HPC website to be available for all to see. If the FHP scope of practice is not clearly defined somewhere how does a practitioner know when they have exceeded it?

    Dido
     
  16. cornmerchant

    cornmerchant Well-Known Member

    Robert
    when you said

    you with one fell swoop managed to denigrate your colleagues in the private sector who still choose to use that title.

    Thanks for that

    Cornmerchant
     
  17. Not me.
     
  18. cornmerchant

    cornmerchant Well-Known Member

    Simon
    I did say those of us who still choose to use that title.

    Glad to hear that you are alright jack.

    Cornmerchant
     
  19. I'm a chiropodist, thanks. Also known as a podiatrist- there is no difference. I'd say about 45% of my patients call me their chiropodist and about 45% their podiatrist, the other 10% fail to pronounce either word correctly. I'm busy as ever, and it's Simon, not Jack.
     
  20. cornmerchant

    cornmerchant Well-Known Member

    Simon

    I think that was exactly my point- those of us that call ourselves chiropodists( as well as podiatrists) have been downgraded by Robert to the class of footcare technician. My post to you was in no way intended to offend, but when you said"not me" I asumed you considered yourself unaffected by Roberts comment.

    Robert- please consider those of us in PP and not reduce everything to NHS speak- you may have footcare technicians but in PP we do the whole treatment ourselves, as we were trained to do.

    Cornmerchant
     
  21. I do.
    As Robert works in private practice as well as the NHS, I suspect he is fully aware of that.
     
  22. cornmerchant

    cornmerchant Well-Known Member

    Simon

    Lets allow Robert to speak for himself.

    I am glad that you are unaffected by Roberts comments- it is still giving out the wrong message as far as I am concerned .

    Cornmerchant
     
  23. In what way are you affected by Robert's comment? He pointed out that what the general public perceive of as "chiropody" is something that can be carried by a chiropody assistant, is he wrong in this assumption? Do you carry out minor chiropody procedures, that could be carried out by a chiropody assistant- I do. If we surveyed 100 members of the general public and asked them to define what a chiropodist does, what do you think the top answer would be?

    BTW, what would be the right message, as far as you are concerned?
     
  24. cornmerchant

    cornmerchant Well-Known Member

    Simon

    Of course I am not directly affected by Roberts terminology- I am more concerned for the profession as a whole. Most of us do routine treatment in pp, but we do have the knowledge that underpins our treatment and we are able to deal with more complex conditions. Should we really be looking to give routine work away to footcare technicians? In pp of course this means FHPs and as far as the NHS is concerned, Age concern!

    The right message is to direct patients to seek professional treatment by a regulated practitoner.

    Cornmerchant
     
  25. Sorry you feel that way!

    If it makes you feel better I'll amend my statement to "what, IMO most people think of as podiatry"

    Better?
     
  26. Kyrret

    Kyrret Active Member

    Try having a look at the course run by the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists The web site is www.iocp.org.uk or telephone 01704 546141.

    Whilst I can understand the antipathy felt by others towards FHPs (the profession worked very hard for many years to protected the titles of chiropodist and podiatrist) I can also understand your position in being unable to do a 3 year degree course.

    I don't know where you are in Lincolnshire but in some areas of the county there is a desperate need for domicilliary foot health care. Good luck.

    Margaret
     
  27. cornmerchant

    cornmerchant Well-Known Member

    Margaret

    Which course by the Institute do you refer to particularly? I cannot see one advertised on the site.

    Cornmerchant
     
    Last edited: Jan 25, 2010
  28. blinda

    blinda MVP

    Whilst I would always encourage anyone with an interest in foot health to undertake the degree, the Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists does offer a City Guilds Diploma which, IMO, provides a sound foundation upon which to build a career in foot health (Ducking now to avoid rocks being thrown).

    As a professional body, they actively supported my pursuits to undertake the BSc and continue to provide some good quality CPD.

    That said, there are universities out there which only require attendance 3 days a week, Southampton is one, so undertaking the BSc (Hons) is possible even if you have other commitments. Try it, it could be the best 3 years spent training for a very satisfying career, whether you choose to work in the public or private sector, surgery or domiciliary work.

    Cheers,
    Bel
     
  29. cornmerchant

    cornmerchant Well-Known Member

    Bel
    Are you sure they are running this course? There is no mention of it anywhere on thier website. (Institutes City and Guilds)

    Cornmerchant
     
  30. blinda

    blinda MVP

    CM,

    Last I heard they were. I don`t know why the details are not on the website, I think the site is still under construction. However, if you contact the secretary at;

    The Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists
    27 Wright Street
    SOUTHPORT
    Merseyside
    PR9 0TL

    Telephone: 01704 546141
    Email: secretary@iocp.org.uk

    I`m sure they will be able provide the relevant information.

    Cheers,
    Bel
     
  31. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Hello Kyrett,
    I am not sure where you talk about in Lincolnshire that has a "desperate need of foot health care" but now both NHS trusts in the area have dumped all their low risk cases onto volunteer organisations.

    I know this as I have spent quite some time in Lincolnshire, as my parents retired there.

    So there could never be a worse time to train as an FHP.

    Dido
     
  32. sister

    sister Active Member

    Kyrret and Blinda
    thank you for your advice
    sister
     
  33. Kyrret

    Kyrret Active Member

    It's why I gave the phone number in my post as I did not think it was on the web site for some reason.
     
  34. Kyrret

    Kyrret Active Member

    That's interesting. What volunteer organisations are they using? I live in South Lincolnshire and I am not aware of this.
     
  35. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Hello Kyrett,
    I read a press release in one of the Lincoln evening papers quite a while back but can't remember much about it except that NHS staff were involved with the training of the nail cutters.

    Apparently Age Concern have started running two clinics in the Lincoln area but I can't tell you any details. Maybe you could contact AC and ask what the situation is?

    Dido
     
  36. Kyrret

    Kyrret Active Member

    Thanks for the reply. I saw a similar press release some time ago but am not aware of any NHS nail cutting service in South Lincs where I am. I am fairly sure Age Concern are not involved here as I go to the local Day Centre to do chiropody on a bimonthly basis.
     
  37. Elizabeth

    Elizabeth Member

    Sister,
    I had a very rewarding career as a district nurse, took early retirement in 2000, decided to change direction when we moved south on my husband's retirement. I trained with the Smae, and whilst I found some ideas rather old fashioned, I found the practical training sound and it equipped me with enough knowoledge to do basic chiropody. I have had a part time dom practice for 8 years and found it very rewarding. I have rarely had to refer on as my nursing experience stood me in good stead. If you can put up with the backbiting from pods and the rather unpleasant behavious on the forums (you don't have to go into them) I'm sure you would do well.
     
  38. Elizabeth

    Elizabeth Member

    Regarding the age concern clinics, I have had a large number of clients who have come to me from age concern clinics and have preferred to stay for various reasons. Good practice and a professional attitude will always win out - and that is not to denigrate age concern clinics who do a good job but are limited in their scope of practice
     
  39. sister

    sister Active Member

    Elizabeth,
    Thank you for your advice, and I appreciate you taking the time to respond.
    Sister
     
  40. Dido

    Dido Active Member

    Elizabeth,
    This maybe so and you are no doubt established in business as a Chiropodist. However, the route you took to a Chiropody qualification is no-longer open.
    The person you are advising can now only do an FHP course by that route and could be trying to set up in business in very changing times.
    If you have a look at the thread entitled "The Future of UK Podiatry/Footcare ?" you will see the level of competition in the market-place for someone with minimal skills and experience and a little known title.

    This statement interested me :-
    .
    So are you practicising as a Chiropodist or a Nurse ? If you are moving outside your scope of practice as a Chiropodist into an area covered by a Nurses remit would your Nursing insurance cover you in the event of litigation?

    I also find it very hard to believe that you have rarely had to refer on for local anaesthetics, nail surgery for IGTN and badly involuted toenails, antibiotic therapy, cryosurgery, MSK conditions, gait analysis and othotic manufacture ??

    I consider your advice to be both irrelevent and irresponsible. Therefore it is not surprising you engender negative responses from some university-trained podiatists.

    Dido
     
    Last edited: Feb 4, 2010
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