The questions that need more than a sentence.
These are the ones people tend to look up rather than ask me in the chair: whether NHS podiatry is free after 60, what a private appointment really costs, whether a podiatrist and a chiropodist are different, why toenails thicken with age.
They are answered here at length, and for the UK. If you want the short version of the practical questions instead (booking, prices, insurance), the FAQs cover those.
“A lot of foot advice online is either vague or trying to sell you something. This is what I’d tell you in the chair, with the UK organisations to check it against.”
NHS podiatry: who qualifies
NHS podiatry is free at the point of use, but it is allocated on clinical risk rather than age. Here is how eligibility, referral and waiting really work, and what your options are if you fall outside the criteria.
- Is chiropody free for over 60s?
- What conditions qualify for NHS podiatry?
- Can I get my toenails cut on the NHS?
- How long does it take to see a podiatrist on the NHS?
- Is there a shortage of podiatrists in the UK?
What private podiatry costs
There is no national scale of fees for private podiatry, which makes the question harder to answer than it should be. Here is what this practice charges, what sits behind those numbers, and the lower-cost routes worth checking before you book anything.
- How much does a private podiatrist cost in the UK?
- How much does a chiropodist charge to cut your toenails?
- Why is podiatry so expensive?
- Are there cheaper ways to get foot care?
Podiatrist or chiropodist?
Two words, one profession, with a genuine safety point buried underneath, because in the UK only some foot-care titles are regulated. Here is what the words mean, what regulation guarantees, and how to check anyone in a minute.
- Is a podiatrist more qualified than a chiropodist?
- Are “podiatrist” and “chiropodist” protected titles?
- How do I check a podiatrist is registered?
- What is the difference between a podiatrist and a foot health practitioner?
- What does a podiatrist treat?
Toenail care later in life
Thickened nails and feet you can no longer comfortably reach are, between them, the reason for a very large share of appointments. Most of it is manageable, though some of it should not be attempted at home, and it is worth knowing which is which.
- Does a podiatrist cut your toenails for you?
- Why do elderly people’s toenails get so thick?
- How often should an elderly person cut their toenails?
- What is the right way to cut toenails?
- How do I cut my toenails when I can’t reach them?
- How do seniors get their toenails cut?
Ask me the one that isn’t on the list.
This is written from what people actually ask, so if yours is missing it’s worth sending. Leave a message and I’ll respond within 24 hours, and there’s no charge for a quick clarifying call before booking.