About Me

I qualified as a podiatrist in 1992 gaining a Diploma in Podiatric Medicine from Northampton School of Podiatry; later converting this to a BSc through the Queen Margaret University.  Since qualifying I have worked within the private sector and NHS. This has enabled me to gain vast experience across the podiatric field including; general podiatry care, diabetes and high risk foot care, wound care, nail surgery, post podiatric surgery care, bio-mechanics and foot orthoses/insoles.

I have been in full time private practice since 2015. The work has been far more diverse diverse than I would have previously thought both in presenting conditions and the age range of patients. I have been very grateful for all of my previous clinical experience and learning as well as ongoing professional development and colleague support.  Opening Caister Foot Care Clinic has seemed a natural progression after all my years in the NHS in that area. As well as podiatry, other therapists will be available at Caister. Please keep an eye open at the clinic and on Facebook for when and what will be available.

• Corns

  A corn is a concentrated area of thickened skin that has been exposed to excessive pressure, rubbing or friction. There are hard corns, soft corns (usually between the toes) and seed corns. Podiatry can treat the corns but they tend to return if the causative factors are not addressed.

• Callus

  Callus is a more diffuse area of thickened skin and mostly not as well defined as a corn. Callus is still a result of increased pressure and/or rubbing. Common areas for callus are around the heels, on the top of toes and on the balls of the feet.

• Athlete’s Foot

  Athlete’s Foot is also known as Tinea Pedis. It is a common fungal infection of the skin that can affect up to a third of the population. It is often seen between the toes where conditions are ideal for the fungal spores to thrive e.g. moist, dark and warm. Some people are more prone to athlete’s foot. It can present in many ways from soggy skin between toes to itchy, red, scaly dry patches. The infection can spread on the foot and can infect the toenails.

• Verrucae

  A verruca is a viral infection of the skin by the human papilloma virus. The virus causes warts on other parts of the body such as the hands where they appear fleshy and raised. A verruca on the foot tends to be flatter where it is on a weight bearing area; often with blacks dots within it and it can be painful. Verrucae are contagious and are commonly picked up from communal changing areas. Some people are more prone to verrucae than others.
  
  A range of verruca treatments are available including caustics, cryotherapy, occlusion, electrosurgery and needling. Treatment success rates vary from individual to individual and no one treatment can fully guarantee complete resolution. Thorough assessment is required before commencing any treatment.
  

• Thickened Nails

  Nails can become thick due to a variety of reasons such as trauma, fungal nail infection and underlying health problems. Discolouration, ridges or pitting can occur in the nail plate due to various reasons. A podiatrist can assess, treat and advise on thickened nails.

• Ingrown Toenails

  An ingrown toenail is an extremely painful condition where part or even the whole nail embeds itself into the surrounding soft tissue. The medical term for this is onychocryptosis; all nail problems are prefixed with the term ‘onycho’ (means nail)
  
  An ingrown toenail can be:
  
  Acute where the nail pierces the skin and usually leads to infection and overgrowth of the skin.
  
  Chronic where the nail changes shape gradually over years, it often thickens as well. The nail edge presses into the surrounding skin causing pain.
  
  Treatments of both acute and chronic range from simple nail cutting and advice to nail surgery.
  

• Nail Surgery

  This is performed under local anaesthetic. The side of the nail (partial nail avulsion, PNA) or the whole nail (total nail avulsion, TNA) can be removed. Within podiatry practice, phenol is applied to the nail matrix so the side of the nail (with a PNA) or all of the nail (with a TNA) will not regrow. This is 90-95% successful with respect to no re-growth.
  
  I provide nail surgery as a package, from assessment, procedure and regular redressing appointments until healing.
  

• Plantar Fasciitis

  Plantar fasciitis is a common problem that will affect up to 10% of the population at some time during their life. It is commonly associated with pain in the heel and sometimes in the arch area of the foot.
  
  Plantar fasciitis used to be thought due purely to inflammation of the plantar fascia (a dense band of tissue running from the heel to the forefoot) Current thinking considers microtears occur in the plantar fascia.
  
  A thorough history of the problem and assessment of the foot, gait and footwear determines the subsequent treatment and advice. This can range from stretches, foot orthoses and discussion on footwear.
  

• Diabetic Foot Assessment and Care 

  Maintaining healthy feet is important for everyone and paramount for people who suffer with diabetes in order to avoid foot complications such as infections and ulcers.
  Diabetes can affect the blood supply to the feet and cause loss of feeling (sensory peripheral neuropathy).
  
  At your appointment I will check your circulation, check your general foot condition and advise and treat as needed. A sensory neurological check will also be regularly performed. Communication with your GP and onward referral will be made if required.
  

Podiatry/Chiropody

Podiatry is the new name being used and replacing the well known name of ‘chiropody’. Podiatrists are highly skilled health professionals trained to treat the feet. Podiatry covers all aspects of foot care and involves the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of diseases and other disorders of the feet. Many chronic diseases such as diabetes and arthritis can affect the feet as well as the way the foot functions and what we wear on our feet.

Good foot health is important for everyday life but is often overlooked.  Within your treatment I will take a detailed medical and personal history and conduct a thorough foot health examination before treating any problem/s. I will also advise on simple self help measures where appropriate, to give you the best result.

Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC)

The HCPC is a UK-wide regulatory body that regulates 16 health and care professions at the time of writing. It is responsible for setting and maintaining standards for over 344,000 professionals. It’s main purpose is to protect the public. Since July 2005 only those podiatrists who have satisfied the criteria for registration with the HCPC can call themselves a chiropodist or podiatrist. To use this title when not on the register is an offence.

I am registered with the Health Care and Professions Council (HCPC) and in line with their Standards of Practice, I maintain continued professional development in order to keep up to date with current knowledge within podiatry and to deliver treatments reflective of this. I am also a member of the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. I am proud to provide expert, professional yet friendly podiatry treatments.

Gift Vouchers Available

Caister Clinic Times

Monday 8.30 am - 6.00 pm
Tuesday 8.30 am - 6.00 pm
Wednesday 8.30 am – 6.00 pm
Thursday 8.30 am – 6.00 pm
Friday 8.30 am – 6.00 pm
Saturday Closed
Sunday Closed

Other appointment times are available, including evenings, upon request.

Find Us

Situated opposite the Green Gate Inn and near the mini roundabout at the top of Tan Lane. Please call for an appointment or use the contact form to send me a message.