Getting a podiatrist appointment is no easy feet

A PODIATRIC emergency between now and the end of January could leave you hopping on one foot as local clinics fill up.

According to local podiatrist Brendan O’Dwyer of O’Dwyer Podiatry, it’s been the same story every year for the duration of his 35-year career.

“What’s driving it is the world is going to end at Christmas time, so we’ve got to get our feet done,” he said.

“And just in case the world doesn’t end, then we’ll have good feet for the new year.”

Most patients, he said, come in with problems like ingrown toenails, or arch or heel pain that could have been addressed earlier.

“They try and get in and you really don’t have that time to be able to deal with the problem, but they just seem to save it up for Christmas,” he said.

The podiatrist has regular clients that only come in for check-ups in early December but said footcare should be prioritised every six to 12 months.

“If you’re over 60 you should be seeing your podiatrist at least once year, same as you see your dentist once a year or every six months,” he said.

The rush on podiatry services is not localised to Bendigo with an increase in demand seen nationwide.

Nello Marino, outgoing CEO of Australian Podiatry Association, said there are several contributing factors, but one assumption is that people want to expose their feet more this time of year.

“As a consequence, in the lead up to the end of the year it’s dealing with ailments and issues that they should have had addressed some time ago, and that whole perception that we need to get things done by Christmas,” he said.

On the other foot however, Mr Marino said there is a noticeable shortage of podiatrists nationwide and it’s a problem the industry is currently trying to solve.

“In real terms, there is a shortage,” he said. “There is a definite shortage of podiatrists across the country and certainly regional areas are more affected than others.”

Part of the solution to increase podiatric services in regional areas, according to APODA, is to communicate that a career in podiatry is rewarding, a process that would take time.