A PODIATRIC emergency between now and the end of January could leave you hopping on one foot as local clinics fill up.<\/p>\n
According to local podiatrist Brendan O\u2019Dwyer of O\u2019Dwyer Podiatry, it\u2019s been the same story every year for the duration of his 35-year career.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s driving it is the world is going to end at Christmas time, so we\u2019ve got to get our feet done,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd just in case the world doesn\u2019t end, then we\u2019ll have good feet for the new year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Most patients, he said, come in with problems like ingrown toenails, or arch or heel pain that could have been addressed earlier.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey try and get in and you really don\u2019t have that time to be able to deal with the problem, but they just seem to save it up for Christmas,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The rush on podiatry services is not localised to Bendigo with an increase in demand seen nationwide.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a consequence, in the lead up to the end of the year it\u2019s 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
On the other foot however, Mr Marino said there is a noticeable shortage of podiatrists nationwide and it\u2019s a problem the industry is currently trying to solve.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn real terms, there is a shortage,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is a definite shortage of podiatrists across the country and certainly regional areas are more affected than others.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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\u2019Dwyer of O\u2019Dwyer Podiatry, it\u2019s been the same story every year for the duration of his 35-year career. \u201cWhat\u2019s driving it is the world is going to end […]<\/p>\n