• Tel: 01606 49641

How can I book an appointment?

You can normally book an appointment only by calling 01606 49641 . Currently, due to Covid-19, we are unable to offer appointments. Usually we require you to phone us during working hours to book an appointment.

We prefer making appointment by phone as we can discuss and plan for your specific needs.
You need to let us know which Podiatrist you wish to have your appointment booked with.

What happens if I am unable to attend?

Please give us at least 24 hours notice, if possible. We charge for failed appts.

Failed appointment slots will be charged for, if less than 24 hours notice is given. The notice is needed so that changed / cancelled appointment slot can be offered to another patient and the time slot is not lost. Deposits will not be refunded, they may be used against rebooked appointments. You will be charged a treatment fee plus a failed visit fee when you do attend.

How much will my treatment cost?

The fees vary depending on what we agree with you for your podiatry treatment plan, based on our scale of fees. Our clients value the standard of care we deliver which is reflected in our fees.

We will confirm any enquiries about the cost of a consultation or course of treatment – made by phone, by email or by calling in person, at your first visit after examining the feet and a full assessment. The Consultation Fees listed on website is only meant as an indication of some of likely costs of certain consultations. The fee may be lower or slightly higher than expected. When we discussed our plan, agreed a fee and you agree to us carrying out treatment – you will have to pay the fee before treatment plan is commenced.

Is the fee fixed?

Fees may vary at each visit, depending on what treatment we use with your plan. Fees may be reduced because the feet get better or we do limited / targeted care; or, higher if a new issue shows &/or we agree and do more extensive, new or different therapies.

We will agree what you would like us to focus on in particular – a treatment plan will be drawn up for the patient on the first and revised at each following visit; and the fees reviewed and varied if necessary.

At first or subsequent appointments, visitors may have conditions that they are not aware of. They may have acquired a lesion or an injury since the last visit. The assessment of the feet and legs at first visit may have not shown up the condition. If there are extra elements of work, we may charge a small supplement to cover our time, materials etc..

Sometimes, we carry out the urgent part of a treatment plan, at one visit, and plan the other aspects for later visits – we will confirm the costs of other parts of your course of treatment.

Regular booked patients will be given notice of any fee adjustments prior to the fee being adopted.

We regularly review the fully detailed fee structure, which is displayed at the practice.

Am I obliged to continue with treatment?

The patient can request that we only carry out certain aspects of the treatment plan, which will be written into the patients clinic notes. The clinician will accept a limited liability.

If the patient or their representative does not wish to receive the treatment offered, they must say so before any work is carried out. The work can be carried out at a later date or declined without prejudice. The patient can request that only certain aspects of the treatment are carried out. This treatment plan will be written into the patients clinic notes. The clinician will accept a limited liability. The clinician may advise on treatment required; however, the clinician will not accept liability, if the patient declines the treatment advised.

Will I have to wait long on arrival?

Usually, you will walk straight in to the clinic, on arrival, at your appointment time. Rarely, you may have to wait a while.

Rarely, you or a previous patient may have extra unforeseen needs, so we may need to spend more time with a client to care for urgent foot health needs. This may cause a short delay to your own or the next patients appointment. At first visit, you may be asked to check and complete a health questionnaire in the waiting area before you are seen. Due to Covid – 19 precautions we may ask you to stay outside or alone in a safe zone until your clinic space and clinician are ready for you.

How long will a treatment take?

It can vary between 30mins to 90 mins or more depending on what is required for safe medical / professional standard care.

The time allocated is always a balance between being thorough and detailed in our work combined with being efficient. The thoroughness and skill level we use, on occasions, does mean slightly longer treatment times compared with other clinics. However, because of the time taken by us, we achieve a good understanding of how your body is affecting the foot or leg problem, good clinical outcome, and extended periods of comfort.

At the first visit which is usually slightly longer, as we take a detailed history, you can expect to be at the surgery for about 30 to 45 minutes depending on what is required to be done.

After the first visit, the length of follow on appointments will vary from 10 to 15 minutes to 90 minutes depending on what type of assessment and / or treatment is being carried out.

Sometimes when discussing the first appointment, and your needs; it will be decided that a detailed assessment and / or treatment is required; so, a longer appointment slot will be allocated – to prevent you needing two appointments / visits – saving your and our time, and avoiding compromising your consultation. A deposit may be taken to secure a long appointment slot at the time of booking.

When do I pay?

Fees are due at the beginning or end of each consultation. We may ask for a deposit to secure an appointment slot in the diary to reserve the slot for you. Receipts can be supplied.

The value of any deposit will be deducted from your fee due when you are treated and  can be paid by bank transfer or Faster payments with your Smart phone, or by dropping cash or a cheque off, if you pass before your booked appointment.

Payment is due before each consultation. If further costs arise eg creams or dressings, these fees are to be paid before leaving clinic.

Payment may be made by cash, cheque, bank transfer with no extra cost.  If we follow up an outstanding fee for any reason, an initial minimum charge of £5 will be made to cover administration costs. Further administration charges will be made for extra correspondence until all outstanding fees are fully settled. Receipts can be provided per visit or as a summary at intervals during a course of treatment.

When we are making up individual customised insoles, and ordering in items specially for your needs, payment, may be asked for before work is carried out. We offer a money back scheme if the goods supplied do not suit your needs which is rare due to thorough assessment and treatment.

Why do you charge the level of fees that you do?

Our inclusive fees reflect the high quality of professional Podiatry care we provide based on many years of training and experience; and the time and skill level we use to achieve a good outcome for our patients. We aim to work to exceed the standards of the Accreditation Scheme of The Royal College of Podiatry. Covid has put extra demands on our patients & our own safety and protection – affecting our way of working, increasing our costs and fees.

The fees include specialised assessments – where needed. Also, any specific health condition related advice and notes given is included.

As practising members, our professional bodies require us to spend a minimum of 30 hours per year on clinical updating and training. This can represent more than a week when travel and independent study is added. The costs of travel, course fees, accommodation, textbooks, etc. and loss of earnings (whilst attending the course) all have to be shared across the fees charged to patients, as we have no other source of funding.

The fees structure, therefore, ensures that the costs of running a professional podiatry service are fully covered, standards are maintained and practice development can occur in the short, medium and long term. After all the costs of running the premises and service have been covered, tax and VAT paid, we aim to receive a reasonable income and be able to contribute to a pension retirement scheme where required.

The inclusive fees charged cover the costs of running the practice:-

  • Enhanced medical standard instrument sterilising / infection control / prevention measures / clinical waste disposal that all protect you from cross infection at and following your visit.
  • Clinical equipment enhancement / replacement / maintenance programme
  • Wide range of chairside medicaments / dressings and consumerables for clinical effectiveness
  • Continuing professional training and development for upto date care
  • ‘Out of hours’ phone access for advice and emergency care where needed
  • Insurances that cover your visit, treatment, and ongoing care
  • Overheads of the premises, motor costs, VAT, Tax, Pension contributions etc.
  • For each consultation, there are related tasks before (eg preparation, cleaning) and after your visit (eg instrument care, cleaning, admin). This amounts, on average, to at least twenty minutes per patient per visit.

How do I let you know if I wish to make a comment about my visit or treatment?

We have a compliments, comments and complaints scheme. We take the rare complaints we receive, seriously, using a good practice approach in line with ACAS.

If you were happy with your visit and wish to pass on a compliment – please let us know by contacting our surgery, by post or by email.

If you wish to make a comment about the service you experienced – please let us know by contacting us by phone, email or post.

If you have any concerns or complaints about what has happened during your visit, the progress of treatment, or the tissue response; first discuss them with the surgery and the clinician. Alternatively, or secondly, you may wish to write to the surgery – describing the issues. We will aim to acknowledge and respond to your letter within 21 days. Any meetings or phone calls will be arranged at the end of clinics. If we are unable to resolve the matter, you may wish to contact our professional bodies whose addresses are:

The Royal College of Podiatry, Quartz House, 207 Providence Square, Mill Street London SE1 2EW; or, Health & Care Professions Council, Park House, 184, Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4BU