What is the difference between a Podiatrist and a Foot and Hand Carer?

A Podiatrist is involved with prevention, diagnosis and treatment of feet and lower limbs. Some Podiatrists can specialise in diabetes, biomechanical problems, paediatrics, surgery and sports medicine.

Foot and Hand Care is a profession that provides for a combination of foot and hand care in a way that is currently not available. It is not the duty of a Podiatrist to cut or trim fingernails.

Nurses have limited knowledge in treating nails and they also require the assistance of a Podiatrist to reduce corns and calluses. In many cases, the skin and nail condition is beyond the skill level of the pedicurist or manicurist. In all these situations, two clinicians are required to attend to the client's requirements. To avoid this duplication, treatment by the specialist Foot and Hand Carers will be more convenient, less time consuming and less expensive for both the client and health care industry.

The definition of the Foot and Hand Carer is

"A Foot and Hand Carer trim nails, reduces corns and calluses, massages, maintains and monitors the general hygiene of hands and feet".

Foot and Hand Carers do not diagnose, they simply maintain foot and hand health. Foot and Hand Carers will work independently, often referring to foot specialists and general practitioners should there be any complications.