The role of a chiropodist and podiatrist within the UK is to assess and determine any abnormalities of the lower limb area of a patient, specifically the foot.

Most patients that a chiropodist will deal with include young children, the elderly and those who have diabetes and arthritis.

In order to become a chiropodist you first need to enrol in a chiropody training. Once a course has been completed you can then apply to work in a GP surgery, hospital, clinic, health centre or even in schools and nursing homes around the UK.

Those who enrol in a course will find that it takes three years to complete the course, this will then result in a degree being obtained by the HPC, which is the Health Professionals Council. This degree is essential should you want to work within the NHS.

The degree however, can only be achieved at certain institutes within the United Kingdom, these include The University of Southampton, Glasgow Caldonian University, New College Durham, Northampton University, University of Salford and Birmingham Metropolitan College.

The structure for these chiropody courses in the UK, is known as being modular, this means that the course is split up into small sections each containing a different area of the profession. After each module is completed an assessment is typically carried out afterwards. The course will contain both theory and clinical modules, with the location of the course being varied meaning one section may be lab based and the other within a classroom.

In addition to be educationally qualified, there are also several personal qualities that future employees will look for when hiring. These include the ability to work individually and take your own initiative,be understanding and calm, be a good listener and communicator, have excellent organisation skills and finally be dedicated and caring.