About the Podiatrist
Caroline Inkpen
BSc (Hons) Podiatry, MRCPod, HCPC
Caroline graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2019 with a 1st Class Podiatry degree after leaving the profession in 2003 to raise her family. Caroline has always been fascinated with all things medical and after obtaining her first degree in Biomedicine, she worked within Medical Microbiology for a number of years but always felt something was missing. People.
After stumbling across Podiatry in search for the “people” aspect, she retrained and never looked back. Caroline also works within the NHS, and as an Assessor for Healthcare students across England, ensuring only the best, clinically competent individuals gain their qualification.
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When not working, Caroline can be found dancing (Ceroc and Lindy Hop), at the beach, surfing or working on her fear of heights by indoor Bouldering.​​
What is a Podiatrist?
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Podiatrists are medically trained heathcare professionals and registered with HCPC (Health Care Professions Council) after completeing a degree in Podiatry. Podiatrists are bound by a professional code of conduct and ethics in the same way as other medical and health professionals. The Title "Podiatrist" is protected, and only those with the specific qualification are legally allowed to use it.
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Podiatry is the global term for medical practitioners of the feet.
Our official title with the HCPC is Chiropodist/Podiatrist as there is no difference between the two professions. Podiatry is the main professional term that has been used for the past few decades and we will normally refer to ourselves as Podiatrists. We carry out all the functions that you would associate with a Chiropodist.
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Having undergone extensive medical training, we are able to treat and advise on a wide range of footcare issues, as well as being qualified to administer local anaesthetic and carry out minor surgery where necessary. Only those that have achieved the BSc in Podiatry are registered with the Healthcare Professionals Council (HCPC). If your Podiatrist is not registered, it may mean they are not fully qualified and are practicing illegally under the protected title 'Podiatrist or Chiropodist'. Check HERE.
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