Endorsed Podiatrist
Podiatrists at The Foot Clinic are highly experienced in treating common and complex foot and lower limb conditions. Having endorsed podiatrists in our team allows us to provide additional services and care to all our patients, saving you time and money.
What is an Endorsed Podiatrist?
Endorsed podiatrists have undergone extensive additional training to be able to prescribe a select list of scheduled medicines without the need of a GP referral. This means they can prescribe antibiotics for infections, pain relief for inflammatory conditions and provide injection therapy for complex and severe conditions, all within your appointment.
As a podiatrist, we are primary care practitioners specialised in treating foot and ankle conditions. I know how annoying it can be to see multiple people to treat one issue, delaying the problem at hand. This led me to undertake further study to become endorsed, which I believe is crucial in delivering best practice without delaying the care of my patients.
This helps reduce the burden that GP's are currently facing and helps patient's get back on their feet faster!
HOW DO PODIATRISTS BECOME ENDORSED?
Podiatrists must undergo 1- 2 years of additional training under various medical specialists to prescribe, administer and supply scheduled medicines safely. This involves extensive pharmacological study, many hours of observations under supervisors and a multitude of clinical studies that are marked, graded and approved before obtaining their endorsement.
An endorsed podiatrist is qualified to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply or use schedule 2,3,4 or 8 medicines for the treatment of podiatric conditions as outlined in the National Podiatry Scheduled Medicines List.
All podiatrists must continue ongoing education, as bound by their registration with AHPRA, to stay up to date. The team of podiatrists at The Foot Clinic take this responsibility seriously, which allows us to have the latest and best equipment and technology to get you back on your feet fast.
What does this mean for patients?
“We see infected ingrown nails all the time that require antibiotics and removal of the ingrown portion of the nail” says Dr Dillon, endorsed podiatrist at The Foot Clinic.
“Instead of having to send the patient to a GP for a prescription of oral antibiotics, we can provide instant relief by removing the ingrown nail and then prescribing the antibiotics if required. This has helped so many of my patients save time and money, by removing the need of multiple appointments, and providing effective and immediate relief to their issue. This is just one of the common conditions we see where being endorsed can be helpful.”
What are the benefits of seeing an endorsed podiatrist
Some examples of presenting complaints and treatment scenarios are:
- Cortisone injections: Effective at reducing pain and can aid healing in conditions such as Mortons Neuromas, Arthritis of the great toe/midfoot/ankle, Heel pain such as plantar fasciitis and bursitis, and Achilles tendinopathies. At The Foot Clinic, our endorsed podiatrist is trained and qualified to administer cortisone injections into suitable conditions. This can be done in clinic with, or without ultrasound guidance.
- Antibiotics: If you have any infection of the foot and ankle, such as ingrown nails or infected cuts, we can take a swab to test the bacteria and provide a script for antibiotics to stop the infection.
- Anti-fungals: Sometimes common conditions such as athletes foot or fungal nails do not respond to topical ointments and lacquers. This is when an endorsed podiatrist can prescribe oral antifungal medication to manage severe or chronic fungal infections.
- Anti-inflammatories/pain relief: Sometimes the pain can be quite severe that stronger anti-inflammatories are required for a short period of time to help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. This is common with acute ankle sprains, heel pain and arthritis. Endorsed podiatrists can prescribe this medication to help with healing and aid treatment/rehab programs.
- Pre and post-Ingrown nail surgery anxiety: If you suffer with pre-surgical anxiety or have a phobia of needles, endorsed podiatrists can prescribe medication to reduce anxiety or pain before or during consultations.
When using scheduled medicines, always read the label and follow the directions for use.
Endorsed Podiatry at The Foot Clinic
The team at The Foot Clinic strongly believe in collaborative care. This means that every patient that comes through the door has multiple sets of eyes on their condition and can be ensured that they will be receiving the best care and treatment possible.
This extends beyond the practice as well, having many great relationships with the local GPs, physiotherapists, chiropractors and surgeons to keep you healthy.