Many of those previously using the titles Chiropodist or Podiatrist who have not gained Ministry of Health professional registration, either through choice or because they were not eligible, have now adopted the title “Foot Health Practitioner” to replace Chiropodist/Podiatrist which they can no longer use.
The title “Foot Health Practitioner” is not protected in law which effectively means anyone can use it regardless of training levels. You may have seen advertisements offering training that offer a total of only a few days practical tuition and the rest by correspondence and distance learning. After completing the course – which can last around 6 months – students will call themselves “Fully trained and qualified Foot Health Practitioners”.
They advertise the same medical treatments as those offered by Podiatrists in places like Yellow Pages, and offer chiropody services; this is actually an offence and may incur a heavy fine.
Clearly a Foot Health Practitioner course is not to be confused with the 3 years of full time training needed to become a Podiatrist. Don’t forget to ask for professional registration either with the Cyprus Association of Registered Podiatrists and the Ministry of Health, or the British Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists. A practising member of this society is assured of having professional indemnity insurance cover.