Introduction to Foot Health
Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust’s Foot Health Programme offers the opportunity to understand the scope of podiatry practice within an NHS hospital by integrating visiting professionals within our Foot Health Department. Visiting professionals will be able to work alongside senior staff from within the foot health team, who will ensure that all of the learning and development needs and expectations are met, and experience the day to day role of podiatrists within Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
Programme aims
The programme is aimed at those who wish to learn more about Guy’s and St Thomas’ podiatry services and practices.
The programme includes:
- Observe and assist senior podiatry faculty in both the hospital and community settings
- Practice alongside podiatric professionals to enhance understanding of podiatric surgery and its interface with podiatry
- Participate and contribute towards reviewing best practice and related national guidance
- Understand the benefit of Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) working and attend internal MDT meetings
- Experience the Trust’s integrated care pathway approach and the role of internal collaborations
Format
The Foot Health Programme offers the opportunity to understand the scope of podiatry practice within an NHS hospital by integrating visiting professionals within our Foot Health Department. Visiting professionals will be able to work alongside senior staff from within the foot health team, who will ensure that all of the learning and development needs and expectations are met, and experience the day to day role of podiatrists within Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust.
The programme is set within the hospital workplace and offers visitors the chance to work with our colleagues at King’s College Hospital. The Trust also runs a range of community services that are based near the hospital sites in the boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark, including podiatric surgery, and our programme allows visitors to visit and work across these sites.
Who can apply
This programme is intended for non-UK qualified podiatrists and podiatric surgeons. We are also willing to consider visiting professionals that have a specialist interest in podiatry.
Programme duration
We are able to offer visiting professional programmes for overseas therapists for periods of four to eight weeks. The programme’s duration can be tailored to the specific learning requirements of those visiting the Trust.
Foot Health service
The foot health team provides all referrals with an assessment in order to draw up a diagnosis and treatment plan. The services provided include:
- biomechanics assessment
- insole therapy
- wound prevention and management
- footwear advice and collaborative work with
- orthotists
- toenail avulsion under local anaesthetic
The teams’ aim is to restore as near to normal foot function as possible and limit further problems. This is why we practise wound management through including dressing plans, vacuum assisted closure therapy, larval therapy and total contact plaster casting when necessary.
Fees
A course fee per week will be applied; this fee excludes accommodation and travelling expenses. To find out the fee amount please email vpp@gstt.nhs.uk.
Please note
Clinicians are able to offer bursaries or discounted placements on an individual basis. This is at the discretion of the Directorates of GSTT and does not affect the terms and conditions of the Visiting Professional Programme agreements.