Estimated Population and number of Podiatrists in UK?

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Hi All,

1. Definition of a Chiropodist/Podiatrist! A chiropodist/podiatrist diagnoses and treats disorders, diseases and deformities of the feet. [HPC. New Chiropodists/Podiatrists Window 07/05/05]!

Well that's that settled. Now we have a definition from the Keepers of the Register. It sounds so stupidly obvious but without it the Nouns Chiropodist/Podiatrist could mean anything? Now we have a definition enabling the HPC. to clearly judge whether an offence has been committed or not from July of this year!

Another Camp could attempt to overturn the definition or possibly redefine Podiatry but at this moment The Authority of the HPC. has spoken and I strongly suspect will have to be obeyed!!!

The offence against the use of the protected titles could now possibly extend to that which lies within the meaning of the definition! Anybody?

2. Estimated numbers of Chiropodists/podiatrists registered in the UK is I am sure still fluid and may not be known until the end of the year, Figures in July may take time to come out?).

I believe they could be between fifteen to twenty thousand, anybody?


3. The population of the UK is estimated at around 60 Million and growing at 200,000 a year, anybody?

Therefore:- We could have 60,000,000 / 20,000 = 3,000 patients per one chiropodist/podiatrist!

Anyone care to comment on these results and how they apply to the profession in reality in the UK,

1. 3,000 could a single practice cope?

2. Is this not to low if a large number of podiatrists are not actually doing basic chiropody?

3. What have you seen that I have missed?

Regards,

Colin.

P.S. It should be noted that not all of the 3,000 patients will need to see a Chiropodist before they pop up the daisies (Unlike dentists!), however? How does this alter 3,000?

 

Hi Colin!

An interesting post.

I'd hazard a guess and say that there aren't as many as 20000 Chiropodist or Podiatrists in the UK. This is only a guess, i'd say 15000 is more likely the figure.

I'm shocked at the apathy at which some have viewed Grandparenting and so haven't applied, and so won't be Chiropodists in 2 months time.

Working alone I couldn't cope with 3000 patients (particularly if seen in year with repeat cut and come again cases) in private practice. My Dentist (whose wife is my patient) sees 90 people a day doing nhs checkups. If only I could do Chiropody checkups on the nhs at 5 minutes appointments for £10 a time or whatever... (What it is to dream).

In Private Practice I think less is more, i.e. do less feet for more money. That way you lengthen your working life, with less rsi and less stress.

I have found previously that when I got too busy I annoyed everone, as I couldn't give people the appointments they wanted as I was booked for weeks/months ahead. If there was a diabetic needing immediate attention it was a real headache. If I was ill and had to re-book patients that was a real nightmare and holidays were just awful, in that there was such a backlog to catch up with. Oh and new patients often went elsewhere as I didn't have time to see them.

So now I charge more and work less. I do have spaces, but now also have a life AND earn more, so I'm not sure if a HUGE practice is what to have if you work privately alone...

Cheers,

Robin.

 

Colin,

In Australia, we have about 2000 podiatrists for a population of 20,000,000, so that is 1 to 10,000

 

I know the feeling well!

Hi Robin,

I am already considering closing my Appointment Book to new patients or limiting them in some way? I'm finding that Patient pressure is already rising even before July arrives!

I think Grandparents are not so enthusiastically persuaded at this time to apply because the paper work in the application form is horrendous to say the least! I am registered because I haven't forgotten how to write a 'Crown Prosecution File' for an appeal Court Judge! Others less fortunate, what a wonderful prospect if they still want to keep the name CHIROPODIST! I have read somewhere recently that HPC. are receiving 200 applications a month at present. Some have delayed to the last minute in applying in the hope of finding out what the HPC. really want perhaps?

'Less feet for more money,' funny you should say that!!! I work in a compact high population density area, this helps travelling to the house bound, (Probably 60 - 70 % of practise). I follow the Rule of dropping everything if a diabetic or worse get into difficulty, (But it can raise heat with the more energetic or younger patients who have no conception of what we experience or have to contend with!).

Your post reassures me in your conclusions. They fit my decision making at this time to a tee!

Contray to what I see and hear in Podiatry circles, their Schools at degree level will never ever be able to fulfill the needs of the NHS. let alone Private Practise. They will have to take out more bread and butter work, basic Chiropody in favour of more minor surgery etc.! More work for us? And I was thinking of going part-time at the beginning of the year! I would like someone to prove me wrong, (Part of the reason for bothering to start the Thread in the first place?).

Regards,

Colin.

P.S. It may be that a rationalization may take place in training in the UK. or more Schools will be accredited by the HPC. I do hope they can react to the market demand as well as in their professionalism! But as someone once said close by, Who am I to know better or something like that?

 

Australia!

Hi Stephen,

I had guessed that maybe your figures might be as quoted! You can detect it in the Threads sometimes, (Anxiety), coming from Australia!

What do you use to get around, a helicopter? Or do you make the Patient come to you in the Hospital?

Or could the nurses and FHP's be doing the basic chiropody in your neck of the woods?

Regards,

Colin.

 

I think it is normally busy at this time of year, I'm not sure if it down to the sterling work of the HPC. None of my patients, or at least hardly any, have heard of the HPC. When I emailed the HPC about this they responded by saying they have limited resourses for advertising and they are channelling the majority of their money into fitness to practise processes!

Regards,
Graeme.

 

Increase in Work load?

Hi Graeme,

Yes I take your point. I was looking at it from the point of view of Private Chiropodists Stopping working before July. There does seem to be more patients about in my locality? However, it may be just a glitch?

A personal thing on top of this, my son who has been working for four years with me and on his own has taken one look at the future prospects in the profession and promptly worked out the door saying he doesn't think it's worth it, he does not see a future, you see! I wonder how many more there might be like him in the Private Sector? End of year possibly before we know?

Regards,

Colin.

P.S. But don't worry I will stay to upset you all!

 

A, P.p.s.

Hi All,

A P.P.S. to above.

Reading the last post from me I'm depressed never mind you reading it.

So to finish on a brighter note against my son giving up on us I have a patient who is now at the end of her first year of her degree at New Durham in Podiatry so I cannot have been doing that badly over the past years assaulting the callus on her feet!!!

What we say here on the Open Forum helps to get rid of pent up feelings, a safety valve perhaps? But we must; I must remember that in the end it is the public who counts even if government establishments will always be ultra-inefficient, miserly and expensive to the taxpayer!

Now that might just raise some steam somewhere?

Regards,

Colin.

 

Netizens

The figure 1 : 10, 000 population is usually used to determine the number of workforce. Approprimately 1/3 of the human population suffer with foot problems that would necessitate the professional services of another and that comes out at 1:3000 clients. Depending on the type of practice a population of 500 chronic return patients ( six week cyclke) would keep a practitioner in full time employ per year . A 1000 - 2000 patients of casual and chronic would be more likely in the private sector.

From the few surveys available most people either ignore foot problems or self treat. Many use podiatry but others go elswhere such nurse, doctor, pharmacists, pedicurist or beauty therapy.

HPC in the UK has replaced the Registration Boards and as part of the Treaty of Rome (EU) all trades and professions need a definition to encourage freedom of movement and a travelling workforce. So hence the defintion. The Agenda for chage for the NHS (again UK) has I believe a sting in its tail which will want to reduce the number of general podiatrists directly employed by the NHS in preference to a smaller numnber specialist podiatrists. If right over the the next few years more podiatrists will be encouraged to work within the private sector. Wether the NHS sub ciontracts this work force is yet to be seen., but we are likely now that Blair has been relected to find out pretty soon.


Cameron