Podiatry FAQs

Podiatry is the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of problems affecting the feet, ankles and lower limbs. It covers everything from routine footcare, corns, calluses and nail problems, through to complex biomechanical problems causing pain in the foot, knee, hip or lower back.

There is no difference. The two terms describe the same profession and the same qualification. Podiatry is the internationally recognised name and the title most practitioners now use. If you have been told to see a chiropodist, we can help.

All our podiatrists hold a BSc (Hons) degree in Podiatric Medicine or a Diploma in Podiatric Medicine.

Mathew Vaughan holds a BSc in Podiatric Medicine from the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff (now Cardiff Metropolitan University), and founded Feet In Focus in 2004. Read more about the clinic.

Yes. Our podiatrists are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the statutory regulator for podiatrists in the UK, and are members of the Royal College of Podiatry.

“Podiatrist” and “chiropodist” are protected titles. Only registered practitioners may use them. You can check any practitioner’s registration on the HCPC website.

Not if you are paying for your own treatment. You can book directly with us. If your treatment is being funded by health insurance, your insurer may ask for a GP referral first, so it is worth checking with them before you book.

You can book online, call the clinic on 02920 644900, or email info@feetinfocus.com.

If this is your first visit, have a quick look at our New Patients page before you book.

Give us a call and reception will help you choose. As a rough guide: routine podiatry covers nails, corns, calluses and verrucas, while a biomechanical assessment is the place to start for ongoing pain in the foot, knee, hip or lower back.

You can also browse by condition to find the right treatment.

Yes. We run late on Thursdays, with appointments until 7:30pm, for patients who cannot get away during the working day. Our contact page has full opening hours.

You will be asked to complete a short registration form covering your contact details, your GP and any insurance. Your podiatrist will then talk through your concerns and medical history, examine your feet, and your posture and gait where relevant, and explain what is causing the problem and what the options are.

Nothing is done without being explained to you first.

Our New Patients page has more on what to bring and what to expect.

It is helpful, though not essential, for us to be able to see your hips and knees, so shorts and a t-shirt, or a gym-style crop top, work well. Otherwise wear whatever you feel most comfortable in, such as leggings and a t-shirt.

Please also bring trainers, examples of shoes you wear regularly, and any old orthotics. More about biomechanical assessments.

Yes, you are very welcome to bring a friend, partner or parent to your appointment.

Please give us at least 24 hours’ notice for a standard appointment, or 48 hours for longer appointments such as biomechanical assessments and nail surgery, so we can offer the time to someone else.

If you arrive more than 15 minutes late we may not be able to treat you, as it affects patients booked in after you.

Yes. We assess and treat children of all ages, from nail and skin problems through to concerns about how a child walks or runs. More about podiatry for children.

Our prices depend on the type and length of appointment. You can see the full list on our prices page, and if you are not sure which appointment you need, reception will be happy to advise before you book.

Yes. We are a recognised provider for Bupa, Aviva, WPA, Cigna, CS Healthcare, Simply Health and Health Shield, among others.

Please contact your insurer first to confirm authorisation, then call us with your membership and authorisation numbers. Charges may differ from our self-pay prices where treatment is covered by insurance.

If your health insurance policy includes an excess, which many do, you will need to pay this amount directly to the clinic.

Payment is due at the time of your appointment, unless you book online, when payment is taken in full at the time of booking. We accept card and cash.

We are at 32 Churchill Way, Cardiff CF10 2DZ, next to Peter Alan estate agents, in the city centre and a few minutes’ walk from Cardiff Queen Street station. Our contact page has a map and directions.

There is on-street pay-and-display parking on and around Churchill Way, and several city-centre car parks within a short walk. You can see the parking options nearest the clinic on Google Maps.

If you would like advice on where to park, give reception a call before you travel and we will point you to the easiest option on the day.

The clinic is on the ground floor, but there are a few steps up to the entrance, with a handrail. If steps are difficult for you, please call us on 02920 644900 before your visit and we will do what we can to help.

Yes. We are a single clinic in central Cardiff, and being centrally located makes us straightforward to reach. Patients travel to us from Penarth, Barry, the Vale of Glamorgan, Pontypridd and across the wider South Wales area.

We also see visitors to Cardiff for one-off appointments, so if you are here on holiday and need help with a foot problem, you are welcome to book.