A Foot Health Practitioner (FHP) is a private sector provider of routine foot care. The title is mostly used in Ireland and the United Kingdom. FHPs undertake training to recognise, assess and treat commonly occurring foot conditions. The Foot Health Practitioner undertakes the routine work necessary to maintain the health of the foot, which may include but is not limited to nail trimming and correction, skin conditions, heel pain, corns, callus, verrucae, blisters, athletes foot, management of ingrowing toenails (without invasive surgery), diabetic foot assessment and monitoring, treatment of fungal infections, and general advice and guidance on foot care and footwear. How are Foot Health Practitioner regulated? FHPs in the United Kingdom: Appropriately trained Foot Health Practitioners can become members of the following professional bodies: The Institute of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, the Alliance of Private Sector Practitioners, the College of Foot Health Professionals, the Association of Foot Health Professionals - Membership of these bodies includes practice insurance and access to Continual Professional Development. The Alliance of Private Sector Practitioners maintains the Accredited Register of Foot Health Practitioners. This Register is accredited as meeting its standards by the Professional Standards Authority for Health and Social Care, the independent government-appointed body that oversees the work of the nine statutory medical, health and care regulators and also accredits registers of health and care occupations that do not come under statutory regulation.
