What is an endorsed podiatrist
An endorsed podiatrist is a podiatrist who has done additional training to allow them to prescribe a selection of medications without the need for a GP referral. Instead of patients leaving their podiatry appointment with a prescription or referral to go to another healthcare provider, they can get this within their appointment, giving patients faster access to essential treatment.
Endorsement is obtained after two or more years of further pharmacology study and many hours involving consultations with patients as well as their medical doctors, from varying specialties.
An endorsed podiatrist is qualified to administer, obtain, possess, prescribe, sell, supply or use schedule 2,3,4 or 8 medicines for the treatment of podiatric conditions included in the National Podiatry Scheduled Medicines List.
What does this mean for patients/referrers?
Patients can benefit from seeing an endorsed podiatrist who will provide prompt care. If a patient is seeing an endorsed podiatrist for a foot or ankle problem and the endorsed podiatrist identifies a need for medical treatment, they can prescribe it immediately, rather than having the patient return to their GP for a script. This enables the patient’s treatment plan to be instigated immediately for a better and quicker outcome. It also benefits the patient by reducing consultation costs and time.
Having an endorsed podiatrist at Leap Health allows our practitioners to refer internally to our endorsed podiatrist, again making life easier for the patient who does not need to go elsewhere.
Examples of how our endorsed podiatrist (Hassy) can assist patients with certain conditions:
Antibiotics: provide antibiotic scripts for ingrown toenails or skin infections or diabetic foot ulcers, without the need to see a doctor.
Corticosteroids Injections: trained and qualified to administer cortisone. Conditions that may respond to steroid injection include: intermetatarsal neuroma (also known as Morton’s neuroma), arthritis, plantar fasciitis, plantar fibroma, ganglionic cysts, bursitis, tendonitis and certain other musculoskeletal conditions.
Analgesics & prescription NSAIDs: provide codeine phosphate for post procedural pain and certain prescription NSAIDs (meloxicam, elecoxib, indomethacin) for painful musculoskeletal conditions and non-opioids like aspirin.
Dermatological & Antihistamines to treat allergies: provide medication to treat skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis and hives, topical corticosteroids, as well as other antihistamines and antibacterial drugs.
Anti-fungal: provide oral and topical medications to help eradicate fungal nail infections such as Athlete’s foot and Tinea in between ID spaces.
Rheumatological: provide treatments and medicines for conditions such as gout, including certain lifestyle adjustments, colchicine or other NSAIDs.
Local anaesthetic injections: provide various short and long-acting local anaesthetic injections to facilitate various surgical procedures such as ingrown toenails or dry needling. These can also be used in combination with steroid injections.
Endorsed Podiatry at Leap Health
Leap Health is a multi-disciplinary clinic servicing the greater Hobart region.
We strongly believe in a collaborative approach to care. Our physiotherapists, podiatrists, dietitians and exercise physiologists work together and cross-refer to ensure a holistic approach to patient care.
Our endorsed podiatrist, Hassy, is an integral part of our team, working alongside other practitioners and ensuring a high standard of convenient care for patients.
We’re always on the lookout for outstanding allied health practitioners who’d like to join our team. If you’d like to see what it’s like to work alongside an endorsed podiatrist, then please call us on: 6234 698