In the UK, podiatrist and chiropodist refer to the same profession. Both are regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), both hold the same qualifications, and both treat the full range of foot and lower limb conditions. The confusion between the two terms is understandable – chiropodist is the older term, while podiatrist reflects the modern degree-level title – but there’s no practical difference in what they do or the standard of care you’ll receive.
If you’re based in Farnham or the surrounding Surrey area and looking for specialist foot care, this guide explains what a podiatrist treats, when to book, and what to expect when you come in.
Podiatrist and Chiropodist – Are They the Same Thing?
Yes, in the UK they are. Both titles describe an HCPC-registered foot health specialist. The shift from chiropodist to podiatrist happened gradually as the profession moved to university-level training, but many experienced practitioners still use chiropodist, and both terms appear equally in local searches. What matters isn’t the title – it’s the HCPC registration. Any qualified foot specialist, whatever they call themselves, should be able to show you their registration.
Here at Waverley Clinic in Farnham, our podiatrists hold full HCPC registration and bring experience across the full spectrum of foot health conditions, from routine nail care to biomechanical assessment and laser treatment.
What Does a Podiatrist Treat?
Podiatry covers a wider range of conditions than many people realise. Beyond nail cutting and corn removal – which are the most commonly associated treatments – a podiatrist can assess and treat most foot, heel, and lower limb problems that affect daily life.
Common conditions include fungal nail infections, ingrown toenails, corns and calluses, verrucas, cracked heels, plantar fasciitis and heel pain, bunions, and painful arches. For patients with diabetes or vascular conditions, regular podiatry is an important part of managing foot health and preventing complications.
Podiatrists also carry out nail surgery for recurrent ingrown toenails, prescribe and fit custom orthotic insoles to correct biomechanical problems, and offer treatments such as shockwave therapy for stubborn heel and tendon conditions. In short, if the problem is from the knee down, a podiatrist is the right person to see.
When Should You See a Podiatrist Rather Than a GP?
For the majority of foot problems, a podiatrist is the right first call – not your GP. A podiatrist can assess, diagnose, and treat most common foot conditions directly, without the need for a referral, and appointments are typically available within days rather than weeks.
Go straight to a podiatrist for heel pain, arch pain, fungal nail infections, corns and calluses, verrucas, ingrown toenails, or any biomechanical issue affecting the way you walk. These conditions don’t require GP involvement and are better handled by a specialist from the outset.
There are exceptions. If you suspect a fracture, have signs of a serious infection with fever or spreading redness, or have a systemic condition that’s causing new foot symptoms, a GP visit is the right first step. And if you have diabetes, don’t wait for a problem to become serious – book a podiatry assessment early, since even minor foot issues can escalate quickly without the right care.
What Happens at a Podiatry Appointment in Farnham?
If you’ve never seen a podiatrist before, knowing what to expect makes the first appointment much less daunting. The short version: it’s straightforward, it isn’t painful, and most patients leave with a clear diagnosis and a plan.
A first appointment here at Waverley Clinic starts with a brief consultation – your podiatrist will ask about your symptoms, medical history, and footwear. Depending on the reason for your visit, they’ll then carry out a clinical assessment of the affected area. For biomechanical issues, this will include a gait analysis. For nail or skin conditions, it’s a direct visual assessment.
Treatment often begins in the same appointment – for routine conditions like corns, calluses, or fungal nails, there’s no need for a follow-up before starting. You’ll leave with a clear plan, and for conditions requiring more than one session, your podiatrist will explain exactly what to expect at each stage.
No GP referral is needed. Appointments run for around 30–45 minutes for a first visit. Wear or bring comfortable shoes that are easy to remove.
Conditions We Treat at Waverley Clinic, Farnham
Our podiatrists treat the full range of foot health conditions. Here’s a summary of what we cover, with links to more detailed guides for each:
Fungal nail infections andlaser treatment
Ingrown toenails and nail surgery → Do I Need Toenail Surgery? When To Seek Help
Corns and calluses → The Difference Between Corns And Calluses
Verruca treatment → How To Prevent And Fix Your Verruca
Heel pain and plantar fasciitis → Why Do I Have Pain in the Heel of My Foot?
Biomechanical assessment and gait analysis
Orthotic insoles → What Is the Cost of Orthotic Insoles?
Diabetes and foot health → Diabetes and Your Feet
Meet the Podiatrists at Waverley Clinic, Farnham
Waverley Clinic is home to a team of HCPC-registered podiatrists with experience across general podiatry, biomechanics, and specialist treatments including laser fungal nail therapy and shockwave therapy.
Jonathan – Jonathan has been the Owner and Lead Podiatrist of Waverley Clinic in Farnham for over fifteen years.
Drawing on a diverse background in healthcare, he ensures the highest standards of collaborative and compassionate podiatry and chiropody care. His ongoing goal is to build upon the clinic’s legacy of clinical excellence by leading a skilled and empathetic team dedicated to providing modern, evidence-based podiatric care that empowers patients to enjoy active, pain-free lives.
Jonathan began his career by qualifying as a Registered General Nurse in Sheffield, specialising in Pediatrics, before moving into a successful career within the UK medical supplies industry. He later returned to academia, completing a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry at Plymouth University.
His professional qualifications include RGN and BSc (Hons) Podiatry. He is HCPC registered and a proud member of both the Royal College of Podiatry and the Royal Society of Medicine.
Betty – Betty is a friendly and dedicated Podiatrist who has worked within the NHS for seven years and continues to work in the NHS alongside working at Waverley Clinic. She graduated from the University of Southampton with a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry. She has a particular interest in nail surgery, alongside providing routine podiatry and wound care for patients with complex needs.
Betty takes pleasure in all aspects of podiatry and is committed to providing a high-quality, professional and compassionate service. She really enjoys interacting with her patients and building a good rapport, ensuring they feel comfortable and well cared for, and leave with a smile on their face and a spring in their step!
Betty is an HCPC-registered Podiatrist and a member of the Royal College of Podiatry. She also serves as Secretary for the Hampshire Branch of the Royal College of Podiatry, supporting the branch and helping to organise professional events and activities for local podiatrists.
Beth – Beth is one of the Podiatrists at Waverley Clinic who has recently graduated from the University of Plymouth with a BSc (Hons) in Podiatry, completing her degree through the degree apprenticeship route. She enjoys all aspects of Podiatry but has a keen interest in biomechanics and enjoys understanding how the feet and lower limbs work together to influence the way we move.
Beth is passionate about helping patients feel comfortable, confident and able to do the things that they enjoy- whether that is managing pain, improving their mobility or supporting them to stay active! She takes a friendly, thorough and individualised approach to every patient, taking the time to understand their concerns and work with them to find the appropriate solution.
With a strong attention to detail and a genuine commitment to achieving the best possible results, Beth is dedicated to providing high- quality care whilst continually developing her knowledge and clinical skills.
Visit Us at Waverley Clinic, Farnham
Patients travel to us from across the Farnham area and beyond – including Godalming, Aldershot, and Camberley – for both routine podiatry and specialist treatments. If you’re looking for a podiatrist or chiropodist in Surrey, we’d be happy to help.
No GP referral is required. To book an appointment at our Farnham clinic, you can either book online or call us directly:
Book Online or call 01252 716611, seven-day, 24-hour telephone appointment booking service
Take the first step towards better foot health today – our dedicated team at Waverley Clinic is here to guide and support you every step of the way
