AUSTRALIANS are being asked to think again about podiatry as Monday, October 14, marks the beginning of Podiatry Week.
The theme for this year is “Podiatry, more than you think” as the scope of podiatrists goes well beyond general foot health. They address pain, infections, injuries as well as monitoring developmental milestones in children, improving mobility, monitoring blood flow and more.
Podiatrists with additional qualifications can also prescribe medications as an endorsed prescriber.
Podiatrists are healthcare professionals who have met stringent education and regulatory standards. Their training allows them to identify early signs of more serious health conditions such as circulatory issues. They also play a significant role in supporting people with chronic conditions such as diabetes.
Given the large scope of the profession, many podiatrists focus on specific areas such as paediatric podiatry, sports podiatry, management of high risk feet, aged care and endorsed prescribing.
The Podiatry Department at Swan Hill District Health runs regular paediatric clinics
This clinic is for anyone under the age of 16 with concerns regarding feet, lower legs or walking. Podiatrists are able to assess and give advice on footwear, growing feet, walking, lower leg pain, foot pain, skin and nail problems. No doctor’s referral is required for your child to be checked by the podiatry department.
The department also runs other clinics, including daily wound clinics, a weekly clinic with District Nursing, a leg clinic for clients with leg wounds or swelling, and mixed clinics for management of feet at risk of foot disease, or for foot pain which interferes with everyday life. They do not provide routine foot care such as cutting toenails to people with low risk feet.
If you are interested, please contact Allied Health Reception on (03) 5033 9390 or complete a self-referral form online via www.shdh.org.au/referrals
