Podiatrists and Chiropodists, Explained in Plain English

By Len Burgess, Senior Care Advisor · Published 7 July 2026

This post is part of our Jargon Buster series, which covers the professional most quietly responsible for keeping older people mobile, out of hospital, and on their feet. Podiatrists and chiropodists: what they do, why elderly foot care is more important than most families realise, and how to access it in 2026.

If your relative is elderly, has diabetes, is diabetic and recently developed a foot problem, has neuropathy, is losing mobility because their feet hurt, or simply cannot bend down to cut their own toenails safely, the professional who can do the most for them is a podiatrist (or chiropodist, which is the same thing).

Elderly foot care is one of the most underestimated aspects of ageing well. Feet do more than carry weight. They are one of the earliest places where diabetes, circulation problems, and nerve damage show themselves, and one of the most common triggers for falls, hospital admissions, and loss of independence. Yet foot care in later life is often the first thing families and even care professionals overlook.

This post explains what podiatrists actually do, how the NHS system works in 2026 (which is more restrictive than most people realise), and how to make sure your relative gets the right foot care in a care home, a nursing home, or at home.

It builds on our wider guides to the Allied Health Professionals, the multidisciplinary team, and the Enhanced Health in Care Homes framework.

So keep reading and get all the details.

What is the difference between a podiatrist and a chiropodist?

There is no difference. Podiatrist and chiropodist are two names for the same profession, and both titles are legally protected in the UK. Only someone with the required university qualifications, clinical training, and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) can call themselves either.

"Chiropodist" is the older, traditional British term. "Podiatrist" is the more modern name, now used internationally, and it was formally adopted as the primary UK title several decades ago to reflect the wider scope of practice (including biomechanics, minor surgery, and complex foot conditions) that the profession now covers. Many practitioners use both titles interchangeably to reduce confusion, especially with older patients who grew up calling their foot specialist a chiropodist.

A few essentials to lock in:

All UK podiatrists and chiropodists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC - see link above). You can check any practitioner's registration for free. If they cannot provide a registration number, do not allow them to treat your relative.
Most podiatrists are also members of the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod), the profession's UK body, which provides additional accountability.
A "Foot Health Practitioner" is not the same as a podiatrist or chiropodist. Foot health practitioners provide basic nail cutting and skin care but are not HCPC registered. They have their place for simple routine care, but they cannot legally assess or treat medical foot conditions.
NHS podiatry is now largely restricted to specific high-risk groups. Routine nail care for older people who are otherwise well is generally no longer available on the NHS. This surprises many families and is one of the most important things to understand in 2026.

What does a podiatrist actually do for an older person?

This is where the value of the profession really shows. For older people in care settings, podiatrists do several specific things that make a substantial difference to safety, mobility, and quality of life.

Routine foot and toenail care. As people age, toenails often thicken, harden, and become impossible to cut safely without proper tools. Add poor eyesight, reduced flexibility, and shaky hands, and routine nail care becomes genuinely difficult and sometimes dangerous. Untreated, thickened and ingrown nails cause pain, alter gait, and lead to falls. A podiatrist can trim, thin, and manage these nails safely.

Diabetic foot care. This is the single most important reason older people should see a podiatrist regularly. Diabetes damages nerves (neuropathy) and blood vessels in the feet, meaning small injuries can go unnoticed and heal poorly. Untreated, these can lead to foot ulcers, serious infection, and, in the worst cases, amputation. Podiatrists carry out annual diabetic foot checks, which every diabetic in the UK is entitled to on the NHS, assess risk levels (low, moderate, or high), and provide ongoing care for those at increased risk.

Falls prevention. Foot pain, poor gait, thickened nails, corns, and poorly fitting footwear are all significant contributors to falls in older people. A podiatrist assesses walking, footwear, and biomechanics, addresses pain, and often prescribes or recommends orthotics (insoles) that improve stability and reduce falls risk. In care home settings, this is a critical safety intervention.

Foot ulcer and wound care. Foot ulcers are one of the most common reasons older people (especially those with diabetes or poor circulation) end up in hospital. Podiatrists provide specialist wound care, including dressings, debridement of dead tissue, offloading pressure, and coordination with district nurses. Early podiatric input often prevents an ulcer from becoming a hospital admission.

Peripheral arterial disease and circulation checks. Podiatrists check pulses in the feet, assess sensation and circulation, and refer promptly for vascular investigation when needed. Reduced circulation in the feet is common in older people and can be an early warning of wider cardiovascular problems.

Corns, calluses, and hard skin. These are not just cosmetic. In older people, particularly diabetic or immobile ones, callus buildup can lead to skin breakdown and ulceration. A podiatrist removes these safely and identifies the underlying pressure problems that caused them.

Fungal nail and skin infections. Common, uncomfortable, and often persistent. Podiatrists diagnose accurately and provide effective treatment, unlike many over-the-counter remedies.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis of the feet. Foot arthritis is common in older people and often responds well to a combination of orthotics, footwear advice, pain management, and physiotherapy exercises coordinated with the podiatrist.

Neuropathy management. Peripheral neuropathy (nerve damage causing numbness, tingling, or burning) affects many older people, particularly those with diabetes. Podiatrists cannot cure neuropathy, but they can protect feet from the damage neuropathy causes, and they play a central role in preventing complications.

Care home foot health. Podiatrists visit care homes, both privately arranged and (where eligibility criteria are met) through NHS community services, to provide regular foot care for residents. Good care homes will have a clear arrangement with a podiatry service.

How does this apply to me?

These are the five questions families ask most often about podiatrists and chiropodists.

1. Are pensioners entitled to free NHS chiropody?

This is one of the most widespread misconceptions in elderly care, and the honest answer often surprises families. No. Being a pensioner does not automatically entitle you to free chiropody or podiatry on the NHS.

NHS podiatry services are now largely restricted to people with a specific clinical need. Eligibility varies slightly by area, but typically includes:

People with diabetes (particularly those at moderate or high risk of foot complications)
People with peripheral vascular disease or other circulation problems
People with peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage
People who are immunocompromised (from chemotherapy, immunosuppressant medication, or other conditions)
People with acute foot ulceration or infection
People with painful ingrowing toenails that need conservative or surgical treatment
People with rheumatoid arthritis affecting the feet in some areas

For an otherwise well older person who just needs their toenails cut safely, NHS podiatry is usually not available. This is why so many families end up either arranging private podiatry, using Age UK's local foot care service (which offers routine nail care and basic foot care at reduced prices in many areas), or using a foot health practitioner for basic care.

If your relative has diabetes, they are entitled to an annual diabetic foot check on the NHS, which the GP should arrange. This is separate from ongoing podiatry treatment and is a statutory NHS entitlement.

2. What does a podiatrist actually do to your feet?

At a first appointment, the podiatrist will:

Take a detailed history, covering medical conditions (especially diabetes, circulation, and neurological problems), medications, and any recent foot problems
Examine the feet closely, looking at nails, skin, joints, and pressure points
Assess circulation by checking pulses and, in higher-risk cases, using a Doppler ultrasound
Assess sensation using a fine monofilament and, sometimes, a tuning fork, to check for neuropathy
Assess biomechanics, how the foot moves and bears weight
Provide treatment for whatever problem is present, which may include cutting and thinning nails, treating corns and calluses, dealing with fungal infections, or dressing wounds
Advise on footwear, self-care, and follow-up

Most first appointments last 30 to 45 minutes. Follow-up appointments are usually shorter, 15 to 30 minutes, and focus on routine maintenance or specific ongoing treatment.

For older people, the podiatrist's advice on footwear alone can make a significant difference to comfort and stability, and it costs nothing to ask.

3. How much does a private podiatrist cost in 2026?

For families whose relative does not qualify for NHS podiatry, private care is widely available. Typical UK prices in 2026 are:

Initial assessment and treatment: around £50 to £80 in most areas, with London and consultant-led clinics charging more (up to around £150)
Routine follow-up appointment (nails, corns, callus, general care): typically £38 to £65 for 15 to 30 minutes
Home visit for housebound patients: usually £60 to £80 for a routine treatment, with London and rural areas at the higher end
Ingrown toenail surgery (partial or total nail avulsion under local anaesthetic): £270 to £500 per nail, sometimes higher with laser treatment or premium clinics
Foot Health Practitioner appointments (for basic nail cutting only, from a non-HCPC registered practitioner): £28 to £48
Age UK foot care service (available in many local Age UK branches): variable, typically £15 to £30

For an older person needing regular routine foot care every 8 to 12 weeks, the total annual cost typically works out at £200 to £400. This is one of the most cost-effective preventative health investments a family can make.

4. How often should an elderly person see a podiatrist?

It depends on their overall health, but general guidance is:

Every 4 to 8 weeks for people with diabetes classed as high risk, or people with active foot problems (ulcers, infections, complex wounds)
Every 8 to 12 weeks for people with diabetes at moderate risk, or older people with thickened nails, poor circulation, or mobility problems
Every 3 to 6 months for otherwise well older people who simply need routine nail and foot care
Once a year minimum for anyone with diabetes, for the statutory diabetic foot check

In care homes, a well-organised home will have podiatry visits scheduled routinely and will be able to tell you when your relative was last seen and when their next visit is scheduled.

5. How do I check that a podiatrist or chiropodist is properly qualified?

All UK podiatrists and chiropodists must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You can check any practitioner's registration for free at the Health and Care Professionals Council by typing in their name. The register shows their profession, registration number, and current registration status.

If anyone presenting as a podiatrist or chiropodist cannot or will not provide an HCPC registration number, treat that as a serious warning sign and do not allow them to treat your relative. The register exists specifically to protect patients from people practising without the required training and oversight.

Most podiatrists are also members of the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod), which provides additional professional accountability. The RCPod runs a public directory of registered podiatrists at rcpod.org.uk.

One important distinction: a Foot Health Practitioner is not a podiatrist and is not HCPC registered. Foot health practitioners can be genuinely helpful for basic nail cutting for otherwise well older people, but they should not treat medical foot conditions, and if your relative has diabetes, circulation problems, or neurological issues, an HCPC registered podiatrist is the safer choice.

The takeaway

Podiatrists and chiropodists are one of the quietest and most consistently underestimated professionals in elderly care. Good foot care prevents falls, reduces hospital admissions, protects against amputation in diabetics, and preserves the mobility that keeps older people independent and out of care homes. Yet NHS eligibility has narrowed in recent years, and many families discover this only when they try to access services.

Three practical takeaways. Understand NHS eligibility; routine foot care for otherwise well older people is generally not available free, so plan accordingly. Ask any care home you are considering about its podiatry arrangements: which service they work with, how often residents are seen, how emergencies are handled, and how diabetic residents in particular are cared for. And always check HCPC registration before allowing anyone to treat your relative's feet, particularly if they have diabetes, poor circulation, or complex needs.

Our funding calculator can show you how the costs of private podiatry fit alongside other care costs and funding routes, including NHS Continuing Healthcare (which often applies where foot complications are a significant clinical need) and FNC. Our wider Jargon Buster series explains every term you will come across, including detailed guides to the Allied Health Professionals, the Multidisciplinary Team, GPs, and the Enhanced Health in Care Homes framework.

This article is for general guidance only and reflects how podiatry and chiropody services work in England as of 2026. NHS eligibility criteria vary by area, private pricing varies significantly by location and clinic, and services available in care homes depend on local arrangements through the Enhanced Health in Care Homes framework. For specific advice on accessing podiatry for your relative, contact their GP, the care home's registered manager, the Royal College of Podiatry, or your local Age UK.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

What are the warning signs that my relative's feet need urgent attention?

Certain foot problems in an older person, particularly one with diabetes, should never wait. Contact the GP or podiatry service the same day if you notice any of the following: a red, hot, or swollen foot that has appeared quickly, particularly if painful or if the skin is breaking down; any open wound or blister that is not healing or is discharging fluid; black or blue skin, or a toe that looks noticeably darker than the others; sudden numbness, tingling, or burning in the feet, especially if new; a foot that has changed shape, particularly in a person with diabetes or neuropathy (this can indicate a serious condition called Charcot foot); an unexplained bad smell coming from the foot; fever combined with any foot problem, which can indicate a spreading infection. For any older person with diabetes, these signs should be treated as emergencies. The rule of thumb is simple: if you have to ask whether something looks urgent, it probably does.

What should I look for when choosing a private podiatrist for my relative?

A few practical checks help. Confirm HCPC registration by looking the practitioner up on hcpc-uk.org. Ask about their experience with older patients, particularly those with diabetes, poor circulation, or dementia. Ask what a first appointment includes: a good podiatrist will provide a thorough assessment, not just a nail trim. Ask about home visits if your relative struggles to leave the house, and check whether the fee includes travel. Ask about follow up: how often they recommend seeing your relative, and whether they will liaise with the GP or care home team. Ask about pricing transparency: costs should be clear before the appointment, with any additional charges (for orthotics, dressings, or specialist treatment) explained in advance. Read patient reviews where available. A confident, professional podiatrist will welcome all these questions.

How does podiatry work in a care home, and what should I expect?

A well organised care home should have a clear podiatry arrangement in place, and you should be able to ask specific questions. Who provides podiatry? It may be an NHS community team (for eligible residents), a private podiatrist visiting regularly, or a combination. How often does the podiatrist visit? Weekly, fortnightly, monthly, or on demand. What is included in routine visits? Basic nail care should be standard; more complex treatment may need separate arrangements. How are urgent problems handled? A good home will have a clear escalation route. What happens to diabetic residents? They should have particular attention, including the statutory annual diabetic foot check. Who pays? Some care homes include podiatry in their weekly fee; others charge separately. Clarify this before your relative moves in. If a care home cannot answer these questions clearly, that is a real warning sign about their approach to resident health more broadly.

How does podiatry interact with NHS Continuing Healthcare?

Foot conditions are not usually the primary driver of CHC eligibility, but they can contribute significantly, particularly where diabetes, circulation problems, or foot ulceration are involved. NHS Continuing Healthcare assessments use the Decision Support Tool, which scores needs across 12 domains. Skin (including tissue viability) is one of those domains, and people with recurrent foot ulcers, complex wound care needs, or high risk diabetic feet often score highly. Mobility is another domain that can be affected by foot problems. A podiatrist's written reports documenting risk levels, treatment provided, and clinical needs are valuable evidence at any CHC assessment. If your relative is being assessed for CHC and has significant foot health needs, request the podiatry reports as part of the evidence. We cover CHC, the Decision Support Tool, and the multidisciplinary team in detail elsewhere in this series.

What can I do at home to help my relative look after their feet safely?

For an older relative living at home or in a care home, the following practical steps significantly reduce foot problems. Check the feet every day, or ask care staff to do so, looking for redness, blisters, cuts, or changes in colour or shape. Wash daily with warm (not hot) water and mild soap, drying carefully between the toes to prevent fungal infection. Moisturise daily with a plain cream, avoiding the areas between the toes. Cut nails carefully straight across, following the curve of the toe, and file rough edges. If your relative struggles with this, do not force it: this is exactly when a podiatrist or foot health practitioner helps. Choose footwear carefully: well-fitting shoes, roomy at the toe, with good support and non-slip soles. Avoid over-the-counter corn plasters, which contain acid and are particularly dangerous for anyone with diabetes. Check inside shoes before putting them on, particularly for people with numbness or poor eyesight, because small objects can go unnoticed. Report any concern quickly to the GP, care home nurse, or podiatry service. Good foot care is not complicated. It just needs to be consistent.