Neal Podiatry And Chiropody

Neal Podiatry and Chiropody would like to wish all customers old and new a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
We reopen on the 2nd January

Neal Podiatry and Chiropody is closed until Wednesday 18th October
In an emergency contact NHS 111 for advice

Neal Podiatry and Chiropody is closed until Monday 21st August.

Neal Podiatry and Chiropody is closed until the 3rd January.
I’d like to wish all patients old and new a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Pleased to help raise awareness of these warm and welcoming spaces in Biggleswade
NB the Labour Hall opens from 3rd December all other venues already open.

Neal Podiatry and Chiropody is closed until Monday 24th October. If you have an urgent problem please contact your GP or pharmacist for advice.

Introducing Clearanail®

Clearanail ® is a patented product for treating Fungal Nail (Onychomycosis).

When traditional antifungal solutions are applied
to the nail they cannot pe*****te the nail plate to easily reach the infection underneath.

Clearanail® is based upon Controlled Micro Pe*******on (CMP)® that makes tiny holes in the nail plate.

The holes allow topical treatments to reach the nail bed in much higher concentration levels than otherwise possible.

Effective for treating advanced infections in the nail root.

Results are fast – usually visible in 2-8 weeks.

Does it hurt? No you usually won’t feel anything, because the device is computer controlled to ensure that it retracts as soon as it breaks through the nail i.e. it does not damage the nail bed.

I’m at the Primary Care Conference at the NEC for two days this week, with some lectures on dermatology, osteoarthritis, anaesthesia, and vascular disease along with plenty of other learning opportunities. Good to be seeing familiar faces in person after the past few years.

Do you have a fungal nail infection? Are your nails thick and discoloured? Think you can't do anything to improve them?
I'm delighted to now be offering Clearanail treatment to patients. Check out my latest blog and get in touch with the clinic if you think you could benefit from this treatment.

https://nealfeet.wixsite.com/website/post/curanail

Curanail I am delighted to be able to provide patients with a new method for treating their fungal nail infections. Fungal nail infections are hard to treat topically because the treatment sits on the top of the nail rather than the nail bed where the treatment is required. The Curanail nail drill is a Briti...

Wishing all patients old and new a very Merry Christmas
Back on 3rd January.

Did you know November is Diabetes month?

What’s that got to do with podiatry and feet?

Diabetes can case complications in the feet including neuropathy and reduced circulation, which can lead to serious infections which can have life changing consequences. Unfortunately there were 135 diabetes related amputations a week in 2015 in England according to Diabetes UK, many of which may have been preventable.

How can Neal Podiatry and Chiropody help you if you are diabetic? As with most things prevention is better than cure, and all diabetic patients have a diabetic foot examination as part of their first appointment. This examination includes taking a thorough history, looking at the medication being used, a neurological and vascular assessment along with footwear evaluation.

A report is written up and with your approval forwarded to your GP, requesting further tests or onwards referrals if required. I will then discuss your treatment plan with you, explaining the treatments you require and the frequency with which you need to be seen, and by whom. In some cases this may involve being referred into the NHS Podiatry service if you need to be seen by the multidisciplinary foot care team either at the hospital or in the community.

All diabetic patients are invited in for diabetic reviews, mostly every 12 months but in some cases this might be sooner. These can be done as part of your routine appointments or as a stand alone service for those who maintain their own foot care.

If you feel you may benefit from this service please contact me, I’m happy to discuss any queries you may have.

Just a reminder of the clinics Covid Policy -

Whilst the restrictions regarding Covid have been mostly lifted it is still our aim to keep the clinic as a safe environment for all our patients including those more vulnerable.

Please do not attend the clinic if you or any members of your household have had a positive PCR test or lateral flow test, had Covid symptoms, or been a close contact of anyone with Covid during the past 11 days. In these cases contact the clinic to rearrange your appointment, there is NO cancellation fee for this.

If your Covid vaccinations, including boosters, are not up to date please inform the clinic before your arrival as extra precautions to keep you and staff safe may be required.

You will still be required to wear a mask at all times whilst on the premises, if you are exempt you need to inform the clinic as extra precautions may be required to keep you and staff safe.

If you have returned from abroad in the past 11 days you will need proof of a negative lateral flow test to attend the clinic. This is the same for any hospital or care home stays.

When you arrive please try to arrive on time for your appointment, not early, and remain in your car until asked to enter the clinic. If you have walked, cycled or arrived by public transport please wait at the front of the house whenever possible, if the weather is inclement you may wait in the entrance lobby.

​You will be asked to confirm that you are well and symptom free and you will still be required to have your temperature taken before your appointment

If you are unwell with any cold or flu symptoms, or stomach upsets please contact the clinic as it may be necessary to rearrange your appointment.

Today is Show Racism the Red Card’s wear red day. The Royal College of Podiatry has taken part in this and I’m proud to have taken part.

We stand together to Show Racism the Red Card.

Thank you to all of our members who are taking a stand against racism.

This is the clinic nine years ago. Somewhat different from today. I’d say the building work was fun but we had to manage without water or drainage for ten days with just a portaloo in the front garden.

For those who have received A’level results and aren’t sure what they want to do take a look at podiatry. I love my job and there are amazing opportunities for you if you work hard.
If you want to know more about what it’s like to be a podiatrist I’m more than happy to have an informal chat.

Clearing is now open in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland. If you’ve got your exam results, but haven’t decided where you would like to be, it’s not too late to consider a career in podiatry. Find out more on the UCAS website: https://www.ucas.com

Neal Podiatry And Chiropody updated their information in their About section.

Neal Podiatry And Chiropody updated their business hours.

On Monday 19th July the government will be lifting a lot of restrictions. Here at Neal Podiatry and Chiropody your safety is still my priority.
Masks will still be compulsory in the clinic unless you are exempt. All of the other safety measures including social distancing, hand sanitising and screens will remain in place and I will continue to wear full PPE. The room will be cleaned between each patient and you will still be screened for covid before each visit.
I have been fully vaccinated and will continue to take my temperature daily alongside twice weekly lateral flow tests.
Please do not attend clinic if you have any covid symptoms or if you are required to self isolate either via the track and trace app or because of a known close contact. You will not be charged for rearranging these appointments.
Rest assured I will continue to keep the clinic a safe space for you.

Recently I was chatting to a patient about the amount of ongoing learning I do as part of my job. They were surprised and commented ‘well how much more is there for you to learn about people’s feet?’
There are certain elements of my job where I have mandatory ongoing training, CPR, use of local anaesthesia and my Prescription Only Medication Certificate being examples of this.
But this only makes up a part of my learning, the rest I get to choose, although if it’s to count towards my continuing professional development it needs to be relevant to my practice. In the past year I have done a wide variety of courses including business courses, an NVQ in falls prevention, verrucae needling, biomechanics, dermatology for skin of colour, skin cancer, and covid complications.
Today I’m doing a zoom course on dementia.
I feel privileged to be able to develop my skills and knowledge and to be able to put that to use providing the best possible care for my patients.

Final day of Pods Heal Heels. A chance to say a big thank you to everyone who has followed, shared posts or booked an appointment. It’s been great raising the profile of a profession I’m proud to be part of.
If you don’t get the Chronicle here’s the link to the article they published last week.

https://www.biggleswadetoday.co.uk/news/people/pods-heal-heels-dont-forget-biggleswade-podiatrists-for-aches-and-pains-3179641

‘Pods Heal Heels’ - don’t forget Biggleswade podiatrists for aches and pains A Biggleswade podiatrist is raising awareness about the national Pods Heal Heels campaign to set residents on the right foot to good health.

So not all heel pain is caused by musculoskeletal issues and something seen in clinic regularly are verrucae.
Verrucae are caused by the human papilloma virus, and whilst they are a benign lesion they can be painful when on a weight bearing area.
Treatments offered in clinic include the use of caustics, such as salicylic acid, verrutop, cryotherapy and needling. Whether treatment is suitable for you and which treatment is recommended will depend on a number of factors, this will be discussed with you at your initial appointment. Sometimes when treatment isn’t indicated it is possible to debride and off load so they are less painful to walk on.
If you have a painful verrucae get in touch.