NHS Grampian Podiatry Service is split into three sectors: Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire and Moray Health and Social Care Partnerships. Encompassing all age groups, the service includes curative, preventative and long-term palliative care. The overall aim of our profession is to enable independence, improve quality of life and provide a person centred service of our patients. Across NHSG, the Podiatry team aim to deliver and provide a high quality, responsive service within both primary and secondary care sectors.

The Podiatrist works as an autonomous healthcare professional and also within the wider multidisciplinary team, to diagnose and provide a comprehensive care plan to manage foot and lower limb pathologies. This includes a wide variety of disorders, injuries and local manifestations of systemic conditions.

There is a range of services available if required, following initial assessment. Treatment plans for each patient may include onward referral to:

• High Risk Patient Management Team (Diabetes & High Risk Patient Management)
• Health Promotion & Education Team
• Minor Surgery Team (Nail Surgery & Electrosurgery)
• MSK Team (Adult & Children)
• Community Team

I would like to become a Podiatrist

In order to register with the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) and therefore practice as a Podiatrist within the NHS, you have to complete a recognised Podiatry degree.

Training in Scotland is available at either the Glasgow Caledonian University and Queen Margaret University. The course takes 3 or 4 years to complete depending on where you choose to study. All of the courses involve a significant amount of hands on clinical work with patients, both academic and placement environments.

If you are in S5/S6 and would like to learn more about what Podiatrists do within the NHS, then please visit our Work Experience site.

I am currently training to be a Podiatrist

At present, NHS Grampians' Podiatry Service is in discussion with Glasgow Caledonian University and Queen Margaret University on how we can offer support to Podiatry students undertaking clinical placements within our service area.

I am a qualified Podiatrist and considering a move to Grampian

NHS Grampian can offer an opportunity to live and work within the very cosmopolitan North East of Scotland.

Another great benefit of working within NHS Grampian Podiatry Service is that many of the roles provide a clear career progression and offer an exciting range of opportunities to develop their clinical and professional skills. Our service consists of a wide range of staff, including Clinical Assistants, Foot Care Assistants, New Graduate Podiatrists, Specialist Podiatrists and Team Leaders/Managers which support all areas of the Podiatry Service.

The Podiatry Team within NHS Grampian is committed to supporting and developing staff at all levels to ensure they have the opportunity to develop their knowledge, skills and understanding to support the population of Grampian. Continual Professional Development is provided internally and externally, with regular Clinical Support sessions, staff meetings and staff appraisal system. All staff are encouraged and supported to utilise the resources available via NHS Education for Scotland (NES) which include Flying Start Programme for our new graduates and Effective Practitioner resources for the more experienced practitioner, which will allow the Podiatrist to apply the latest evidence based care, develop their role and maximise work based learning. Please see the Career Development section of this page to find out more about Flying Start and Effective Practitioner.

All vacancies within Podiatry are advertised on the NHS Grampian Recruitment website. To arrange an informal chat with the Lead Podiatrist please contact them on:

Leigh Porter, Aberdeen City HSCP - kirsty.symons@nhs.scot, Tel: 01224 655717

Douglas Rae, Aberdeenshire HSCP - francis.bruce2@nhs.scot, Tel: 01467 672770

Anne Lindsay, Moray HSCP - sarah.mclarty@nhs.scot, Tel: 01343 553074

I am a qualified Podiatrist but it's been some years since I practised. Am I able to return to work?

NHS Grampian Podiatry Service can support you by providing job shadowing opportunities to enhance your skills for return to the work place. However in order for you to practice Podiatry again within the NHS you are required to undertake a 12 week Return to Practice course offered at Glasgow Caledonian University and Queen Margaret University. Further information on return to work can be located through the Health Care Professional Council and the College of Podiatry.

Published: 12/01/2024 10:26