FAQs
If your question is not answered below, please email Macclesfield Podiatry at office@macclesfieldpodiatry.co.uk, or call 0161 883 0099.
Treatment
Who benefits from podiatry?
Podiatry can benefit people of all ages who have a variety of conditions. Podiatry can benefit children and the elderly, to those who have a sporting injury. If you have a problem with your foot or lower limb – podiatry may be able to help you.
What conditions can be treated?
Podiatrists can treat a variety of conditions affecting the foot and lower limb. The conditions treated vary from skin and nail problems, to nerve pain, to muscular and skeletal complaints. Podiatry may also help you if you have knee or back pain.
What can I expect when I receive treatment?
Prior to treatment all patients receive a thorough assessment. Each patient is then given an explanation of the diagnosis and an individual treatment plan. To get the most out of your treatment we recommend a review, this is so that treatment effects can be monitored, and when necessary, adapted.
How many treatments will I need?
There is no set amount of treatment for a condition, as each patient is individual. At your initial assessment your podiatrist will discuss the amount of treatments necessary to alleviate symptoms. At each appointment you will be reassessed to see how your condition has progressed. If progress seems limited your treatment will be adapted accordingly, and when necessary you will be referred to a specialist.
Will I be expected to do anything in between treatments?
At Macclesfield Podiatry we work with you to make sure you get the most out of your treatment. Your podiatrist will,therefore, discuss with you the things that you need to do to make sure you get the best results. For example, some patients may be given an exercise programme, whilst others might need to adapt their footwear, or apply topical medications and moisturisers. Your podiatrist will explain to you what you need to do between your appointments. It is important to remember that what you do between your podiatry treatment sessions is as important as the treatment itself.
How does podiatry differ from chiropody?
Chiropody is an out of date and old fashioned term that does not correctly justify the scope of practice now covered by podiatrists. Podiatry has effectively taken over from chiropody. Podiatry is a medical specialism, therefore podiatrists are university trained in the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of a variety of foot and lower limb pathologies. Podiatrists are trained to treat high risk and vulnerable feet, muscular and skeletal complaints and conditions, perform minor surgery, perform gait analysis and prescribe orthoses, as well as routine podiatry complaints such as corns, verruca and fungal nails.
Appointments
Is there a waiting list for treatment?
No. An appointment can usually be arranged within 24 – 48 hours. In many cases a same day appointment can be arranged.
When are you available for appointments?
We are available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm, and Saturday 9am to 4pm.
Do I have to be referred by a doctor?
No. We accept self-referral.
Can I visit a clinic?
Yes. We have a choice of three clinics for you to choose from:
- The Macclesfield clinic at 36 Charlotte Street, Macclesfield, Cheshire, SK11 6JL
- The Sale clinic at 17 Claremont Road, Sale, M33 7DZ
- The Manchester City Centre clinic at 3–5 St John Street, Manchester, M3 4DN
Early morning, lunchtime, evening and weekend appointments are also available.
How long are appointments?
Appointments vary from 30 minutes to an hour depending on the appointment type.
What should I wear?
It is a good idea to dress comfortably with clothing that makes the foot and ankle easily accessible. If you have a lower limb complaint it is a good idea to bring shorts. If you would like moisturiser to be applied we recommend wearing socks with your footwear to prevent slipping.
Should I have medical notes and X-rays at hand?
X-rays / scan results / medical notes are not normally needed. If, however, you would like to bring them to your assessment this may be beneficial to your podiatrist.
How do I know if a podiatrist is fully qualified?
All podiatrists have undergone the required training and have passed all necessary exams in order to allow them to practice. All podiatrists will have the letters MsCP and HPC after their name. MsCP stands for Member of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, this is their professional body. HPC stands for Health Professions Council registered. The HPC is the regulatory body, whose job is to regulate and moniotor its members to ensure public safety. The title ‘podiatrist’ is protected, this means that only those who meet the Health Professions Council requirements are allowed to use the title. The podiatrists at Macclesfield Podiatry will be happy to show you their documentation,alternatively, you can check that your podiatrist is registered by looking up their name on the HPC website http://www.hpc-uk.org/
Payment
What are your payment terms?
For the first initial appointment we require payment in advance of the appointment in order to secure the booking. If you require further appointments payment is taken after each consultation. We accept cash, cheque debit and credit cards. If treatment is being payed for by a third party we will invoice them for your treatment.
I have Private Medical Insurance - am I covered with you?
Macclesfield Podiatry is registered with a number of insurance companies. We recommend that you check your insurance policy before booking an appointment for treatment.
If I have private medical insurance do I need to pay for treatment?
Each insurer is different in the way they organise payment for treatment. Some insurance companies request that you pay for your treatment and claim back the cost, whereas others prefer to be invoiced directly by us. Unless we receive authorisation from your insurer you will have to pay for your treatment. We, therefore, advise that prior to making an appointment you contact your insurer to discuss this.If any of your questions have not been answered, or if you would like to arrange an appointment with us at Macclesfield Podiatry please email office@macclesfieldpodiatry.co.uk, or call 0161 883 0099.
To arrange a podiatry appointment please contact us now by emailing office@macclesfieldpodiatry.co.uk, or call 01625 326 222.
