WHAT IS A PODIATRIST?

A Podiatrist is a health professional qualified to diagnose and treat specific foot and lower limb conditions. Common conditions a podiatrist would treat include bone and joint disorders, muscular, neurological and circulatory complaints, skin and nail disorders, corns, calluses, ingrown toenails and sporting injuries.

EDUCATION

Podiatrists must complete a Bachelor of Podiatry Degree with an Australian University. In South Australia the University of South Australia offers the undergraduate course through the School of Health Science located at the City East Campus, Adelaide.  For course information please refer to the University of South Australia's website.

REGISTRATION

In all states of Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and New Zealand, podiatry is a registered health profession and is defined by the various registration acts. Registration is mandatory in all states, the Australian Capital Territory and New Zealand in order to practise as a podiatrist. If employing a podiatrist, please ensure they are registered with the appropriate registration board.

Practitioners must be registered in the state or country in which they are practising. Thus, in crossing a state or Australian/New Zealand border, a podiatrist should seek registration there also. This process is facilitated by Mutual Recognition legislation. State and New Zealand registration acts supersede all guidelines and ethical codes of practice. You should ensure you are familiar with the registration act/s in the jurisdiction/s in which you practice.

For further information on Registration in South Australia, contact the South Australian Podiatry Registration Board.

WHERE CAN I FIND A PODIATRIST?

Podiatrists work in a variety of areas including private practice, Doctors (GP) clinics, community health and day therapy centres, hospitals, sports medicine clinics and nursing homes. Podiatrists also work as part of the health care team and often consult with other health care practitioners when managing foot or foot-related problems.

A referral is not required when you visit a podiatrist.  When making an appointment for the first time, the podiatrist may require a longer than usual consultation time to be able to complete a full health assessment and treatment plan.  Follow up and the frequency of visits will depend on the underlying condition and the progress made through treatment.

Private Practice - A podiatrist in private practice will set their own fees and charges accordingly.  When making an appointment you can enquire on the cost of the consultation and if the practice has an online health fund claims facility such as HICAPS.  If you have Extra's private health cover, it would be worth while contacting your health fund prior to your podiatry appointment to ensure the visit and any treatment costs are covered and at what percentage. Health funds and their various tables / level of cover differ so it's always best to check your specific cover before your treatment.

For clients that have restricted mobility, the podiatrist can visit and treat the client at their home or at an Aged Care Facility.  Not all podiatrists are equipped to do a Home Visit so be sure to specifiy that you may require this service when making an appointment.

To locate a private podiatrist feel free to visit our online search facility located at www.findapodiatrist.org

Public Facilities - A number of hospitals in South Australia provide services to high risk clients requiring podiatry care.  For a complete list including country hospitals visit the Commonwealth Carelink SA website for a list of clinics, services and eligibility criteria.

Tel: 1800 052 222

The major hospitals offering podiatry services in South Australia include:

Flinders Medical Centre - Podiatry Clinic

The clinic specialises in wound management and high risk management. Services include emergency wound clinics, diabetes assessment, education and reviews, wound management, surgical procedures for ingrown toenails. To be eligible for this service patients are at high risk of limb loss through infection, diabetes, peripheral vascular disease and/or severe rheumatoid arthritis.  A referral from a GP or internal hospital staff is required.  To contact the clinic Tel: (08) 8204 4884

Lyell McEwin Hospital - outpatient services Podiatry

The podiatry clinic provides paediatric assessment, therapy and treatment.  A referral from a GP or health practitioner required.

Adult podiatry services are available for client at risk of developing lower limb and/or foot conditions.

To contact the clinic Tel: (08) 8182 9000

Modbury Public Hospital - outpatient services Podiatry

A referral from a GP is required.  To contact the clinic Tel: (08) 8161 2000

Norlunga Hospital

The Podiatry Service at Noarlunga Hospital provides a comprehensive range of services to meet the complex clinical needs of clients. The podiatrists are often involved in the co-ordination of services with medical and community based providers to improve foot health outcomes for clients.  Outpatient services are provided to people residing in the Noarlunga catchment area and all clients are required to meet a criterion of “high risk” for assessment and ongoing care. The service places priority on the care of individuals who either have, or are at high risk of developing, a foot problem that may result in their limb being compromised by infection or ulceration. Additional services offered include a paediatric service for children during the developmental years of the lower limb and nail surgery for problematic nail types. Inpatients of the public wards of the hospital who meet the service priorities will receive services during their admission if intervention is considered integral to their treatment plan or is necessary to facilitate successful discharge from the hospital. All clients must be referred to the service by a medical, nursing or community health practitioner. For further enquiries please contact 8384 9233

Queen Elizabeth Hospital - Allied Health Clinic

High risk patients with a referral from a GP or allied health professional.  Priority is given to patients with an associated foot ulcertation, gangrene, sepsis, chronic lesions or at risk of ulceration or amputation. To contact the clinic Tel: (08) 8222 6734

Repatriation General Hospital - Veterans Foot Clinic

Australian Veterans, serving members of the armed forces and their families.  Services include assessment, health education, routine care, orthotics and podiatric surgery.  To contact the clinic Tel: (08) 8276 9666

Royal Adelaide Hospital - Podiatry Clinic

The Podiatry Department at the Royal Adelaide Hospital is a specialist unit focussing on preventing foot and lower limb amputations in patients with complex medical conditions. The service aims to identify patients at high risk of amputation and implement an appropriate management plan with a multi-disciplinary focus. Care is provided to those patients with post amputation sites, active ulcerations, infections of the foot and significant structural foot deformities. The service endeavours to optimise wound healing, reduce hospitalisations, facilitate suitable discharge and prevent readmission. To contact the clinic Tel: (08) 8222 5912

Whyalla Hospital - Adult and Child Health Team

High risk clients.  To contact the clinic Tel: (08) 8648 8302

Port Pirie Hospital - Podiatry Clinic

Port Augusta Hospital - Podiatry Clinic

University of South Australia - Teaching Clinic

The UniSA Podiatry Clinic is an undergraduate teaching clinic open to members of the public.  Registered podiatrists supervise the undergraduate podiatry students who perform podiatric assessment and treatment.  The clinic is open during Uni semesters i.e. March through to November, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays. 

To make an appointment please contact the Clinic on Tel: (08) 8302 2269

The Clinic is located on the ground floor of the Centenary Building

University of South Australia (map)

City East Campus, corner of Frome Road and North Terrace.

Treatment costs range between $10 for a consultation, $40 for nail surgery and approximately $140 for rigid orthoses.

Services include:

• Foot and lower limb assessment
• Treatment of lesions of the skin and nails, including corns, callus and nail problems
• Treatment of infections (e.g. planter warts)
• Nail surgery
• Foot care and footwear education
• Biomechanical assessment
• Insole and orthosis manufacture

It is usually not necessary to obtain a referral to see a podiatrist, however to access subsidised services under various programs including those run by Veterans Affairs, Workers Compensation, or the Enhanced Primary Care scheme (Medicare), a medical referral is required.

Community Health and Day Therapy Centres

For a list of Community Health and Day Therapy Centres visit the Commonwealth Carelink SA website and search for podiatry services.  Eligibility criteria is applicable, fees are subsidised.  Tel: 1800 052 222