What is a Podiatric Surgeon?

Podiatrists are practitioners of the foot and ankle. They are like dentists to the teeth. Podiatric surgery is a specialist field of practice within podiatry.

Podiatric Surgeons are podiatrists who undertake extensive postgraduate training in the surgical management of foot and ankle problems.

They have a formal education in foot health and medical sciences and are trained to recognise the signs and symptoms of general medical conditions within the lower limb e.g. diabetes. Your consultant will be able to treat the foot and ankle symptoms of these conditions, but will liaise with your GP for a formal medical opinion or assistance if required.

In addition to surgical care, Podiatric Surgeons will advise you about the non-surgical treatments for your foot problem. This will help you make an informed choice regarding your treatment and agree to a care plan together.

Podiatric Surgeons are independent clinicians in the field of foot surgery and are not medical doctors.
 

Surgical Training

PODIATRIST
3-4 Year University Degree in Podiatric Medicine

SPECIALIST PODIATRIST
2-3 Year MSc in the Theory of Podiatric Surgery

PODIATRIC SURGICAL TRAINEE
3 Year Consultant Supervised Training
Final surgical examinations

SPECIALIST REGISTRAR IN PODIATRIC SURGERY
2-3 Years Specialist Training to consolidate surgical skills

PODIATRIC SURGEON
Can apply for a Consultant Post as a lead clinician
A minimum of 11 years Specialist Training
Must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
 

Where does Mr. Cichero work?

Mr. Cichero, Consultant Podiatric Surgeon, works in the NHS under the Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon and the private sector.

He is a valued member of the healthcare team and receives referrals from a range of health professionals seeking his expert opinion, e.g. GP’s, other consultants, podiatrists, practice nurses and physiotherapists.

Podiatric surgery services are based in acute hospital and community trusts, as well as in independent hospitals across the UK.
 

Audit

Podiatric surgery is a proven and effective part of foot health care, with thousands of foot operations undertaken in the UK by Podiatric Surgeons every year.

Mr. Cichero collects information for audit purposes in order to review performance, show evidence of practice and assess patient outcomes and experiences. Ask your consultant about the national audit database PASCOM-10.

Professional Regulation

Podiatrists are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council, who set standards for registrants’ education and training, professional skills and behaviour.
 

Questions and Concerns

If you have any questions or concerns about the treatment you receive, your consultant will be happy to discuss this further with you or help arrange a second opinion.

If you are an NHS patient you will need to contact the NHS Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 01793 604031 at the Great Western Hospital, Swindon. If you are a private patient, please contact Mr. Cichero’s private secretary on 01793 272318 for further assistance.