Common Questions About Home Foot Care

I provide professional mobile foot care throughout North East Fife. My regular service areas include Cupar, St Andrews, and the East Neuk, along with all surrounding villages. If you are located nearby but don't see your town listed, please get in touch to check my availability. If you are outside my current coverage zone, I am always happy to recommend a trusted Foot Health Practitioner closer to you.

Quite possibly! While I focus on Cupar, St Andrews, and the East Neuk, I aim to be as flexible as possible for patients across Fife. If you live in a nearby village or surrounding area not explicitly mentioned, please contact me to check my current availability. Even if I can’t reach you personally, I can often provide advice or refer you to another trusted Foot Health Practitioner in your specific part of Fife.

As a mobile practitioner, I provide foot care in a variety of residential settings across Fife, including: • Private homes • Sheltered housing • Care, residential, and nursing homes • Hospices, ward and community settings. If the property has an access code or a key safe, please let me know when booking. I am used to working within secure environments and will always ensure your home is left secure upon my departure.

Booking is simple and flexible. You can reach me via: • Phone or Text / WhatsApp: 07778257262 • Email: hello@thefootnursefife.co.uk (hello@thefootnursefife.co.uk) • Social Media: Message me on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/thefootnursefife) • Online: Use the contact form at the bottom of this page. Note: As I am often with patients or working a nursing shift, I may not be able to answer the phone immediately. Please leave a voicemail or send a text/WhatsApp, and I will get back to you as soon as I’m free!

I am a qualified, insured and PVG checked, Foot Health Practitioner (FHP). While I am not a podiatrist or chiropodist, I am trained to provide high-quality, clinical-standard care for the most common foot problems - such as nail cutting, corn removal, callus reduction, ingrown toenails, fungal toenails, verruca, nail thickening and dry heels. I work within a strict scope of practice and will always refer you to a podiatrist or your GP if you require specialist medical or surgical intervention.

Yes, absolutely. I welcome referrals from all members of the Multidisciplinary Team (MDT), including GPs, nursing teams, AHPs (such as Physiotherapists or Occupational Therapists), Social Workers, private Care Agencies and voluntary organisations. Because I have a nursing background, I prioritise integrated care and professional communication. I am happy to provide clinical updates for patient records where required (with patient consent) and will always proactively flag any concerns that require specialised podiatry or further medical investigation.

Yes. I am trained to provide specialised diabetic foot care, which includes essential assessments and monitoring. I use only foot-safe products suitable for diabetic skin to help prevent complications. If I identify a concern that requires specialist medical attention, I will discuss this with you and arrange an onward referral to the appropriate diabetic services on your behalf. Please let me know you have diabetes when booking so I can allow extra time for your assessment.

Your safety is my priority. Many systemic conditions (like diabetes or circulatory issues) and medications (like blood thinners, steroids, heart medications) affect how your skin and nails heal. This information allows me to tailor your foot treatment safely and minimise any risk of infection or injury.

I only take photographs when clinically necessary. An example would be to monitor the progress of an ingrown nail, verruca or a healing area. These images are part of your secure medical records and are stored according to GDPR guidelines. They are never shared or used for marketing without your explicit informed consent.

I offer a wide range of professional foot care services, including: • Professional nail cutting and thinning of thickened nails. • Corn removal and callus (hard skin) reduction. • Ingrown toenail management (non-surgical). • Verruca and fungal nail advice/treatment. • Diabetic foot monitoring and general foot health checks. • Finger nail cutting on request and as part of a foot treatment.

There is no need for special preparation - I am there to look at your feet, not whether the washing has been put away! To help the appointment go smoothly, I just ask for the following: • The Space: Please provide a clean, well-lit area where we can sit comfortably for your treatment. • Safety: Because I use sharp instruments, I ask that pets are kept in a separate room and that young children are supervised by another adult during the session. • Environment: For health and safety, please ensure the room is well-ventilated and smoke-free prior to and during my visit. • Communication: If you use hearing aids or glasses, please ensure they are worn so we can communicate effectively regarding your care. • Payment: We will discuss the fee before I arrive, so I kindly ask that payment is ready on the day of your appointment in cash or by bank transfer.

An initial foot health assessment is longer because it includes a full review of your medical history, a neurovascular check (circulation and sensation), and a comprehensive foot health check alongside your first treatment. Routine appointments are for ongoing maintenance and care once your history is on file, typically focusing on your specific treatment needs.

An initial appointment typically takes up to 60 minutes to allow time for a full medical history, a foot health assessment, and your first treatment. Routine follow-up appointments usually take between 30 to 45 minutes. Setting aside this time ensures you receive a thorough, professional treatment without ever feeling rushed.

Absolutely! The more the merrier! I am very happy to book back-to-back appointments for couples, family members, friends, or neighbours at the same address. Many people find it much more relaxed to have their foot care done together or simply enjoy the convenience of a "joint" visit day. If you would like to book for more than one person or group, just let me know when you get in touch so I can ensure I’ve blocked out enough time to give everyone’s feet the full attention they deserve.

My pricing reflects a specialist, mobile service delivered by a dual-qualified professional. Every treatment is carried out by a Qualified Foot Health Practitioner and Registered Nurse, ensuring you receive both technical expertise and clinical nursing oversight in your own home. • Initial (New Patient) Clinical Assessment & Treatment: £60 • Routine Follow-up Care: £45 What is included in the cost? Every appointment includes a full neuro-vascular assessment, skin integrity screening, and the use of surgical-grade, autoclaved equipment. The fee also covers my travel across areas, all medical consumables used during the treatment, public liability insurance, and professional fees. This ensures you receive a clinical-standard service that prioritises your safety, monitors your circulatory health, and provides professional peace of mind that a non-clinical service cannot offer. I am committed to providing honest, affordable care and will never recommend more appointments than are clinically necessary. We will always discuss your treatment plan together to ensure the frequency of visits matches both your clinical needs and your budget.

For your convenience, I accept payment via cash or bank transfer. If you prefer to pay via bank transfer, I will provide the necessary details during your appointment or to your advocate. I understand that in many cases, a family member or someone with Power of Attorney (POA) may be managing the payment. If you are a relative or guardian paying on behalf of a patient, please let me know. I can provide the necessary bank details via text or email so that the transfer can be completed securely and conveniently from your own home.

I understand that plans can change. Please contact me as soon as possible if you need to reschedule. I kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice for cancellations, otherwise, a cancellation fee of 50% of the appointment cost may be charged to cover the lost appointment time.

For patients who have an Adults with Incapacity (AWI) and a registered Welfare Power of Attorney (POA), I require specific documentation to be completed by the Attorney before treatment can commence. This ensures I have a full clinical picture to provide safe, effective care. What I require from the Welfare POA: • Initial Assessment Paperwork: Including a full Past Medical History (PMH) and a current Medication History. • Consent for Treatment: Formal legal consent for the specific foot health procedures. • Photography Consent: To allow for clinical monitoring of skin or nail conditions over time. How to complete these forms: These can be completed in person if the Attorney is present at the first appointment, or in advance via email. Clinical Standards: Regardless of legal paperwork, the patient’s immediate dignity and comfort are my priority. If a patient is distressed or refuses treatment, I reserve the clinical right to stop the procedure and will liaise directly with the Power of Attorney to discuss the next steps for the patient’s wellbeing.

The Short Answer: Foot care services in Fife are tiered based on medical necessity and mobility. 1. NHS Fife Podiatry: This is free but strictly reserved for those with high-risk medical conditions (e.g., advanced diabetes or severe circulation issues). You can view the official NHS Fife access criteria here.(https://www.nhsfife.org/services/all-services/podiatry-foot-health/) 2. Footcare Fife (FVA): This is a wonderful, low-cost (£10) toenail cutting service delivered by trained volunteers for those who struggle to reach their toes. However, they do not offer home visits and operate from specific clinics. You can find details on Footcare Fife here.(https://www.fva.org/footcare_fife.asp) The Clinical Difference with The Foot Nurse Fife: My service is designed for those who require domiciliary, or more than basic foot care but do not qualify for NHS podiatry. As a Registered Nurse, I provide a professional clinical bridge: • Home Visits: I bring the clinic to you, which is essential for patients with limited mobility or those who prefer the comfort of their own home. • Clinical Nursing Oversight: Every appointment includes a foot health professional assessment of your skin integrity, circulation (vascular), and sensation (neurological). I am trained to spot clinical issues before they escalate. • Surgical-Grade Hygiene: I use vacuum-sealed, autoclaved medical instruments for every single patient to ensure the highest standard of infection control. • No Eligibility Barriers: I am available to anyone who needs professional care, with no long waiting lists or complex referral forms. The Foot Nurse Fife Commitment: I will always act in your best interest. If during your clinical assessment I identify a concern that requires further medical intervention, I will signpost you to the correct NHS services immediately. Where appropriate, I provide professional referrals and clinical handover notes to your GP, community nursing team, or urgent care services. My goal is to ensure you receive the specific foot care you need, bridging the gap between private foot health and NHS.