Insurance
The College does not provide Assistants with their own insurance. However, The College of Podiatry Insurance policy for Podiatrist members states the following:
‘Under no circumstances can any person who is eligible for College membership but chooses, for whatever reason, not to be a member of the College, be covered under the insurance available to another College member.'
Insurers have, however, specifically agreed to indemnify members when supervising the following:
- Registered students at approved schools of podiatry, provided they are being taught or examined in the branch or branches of chiropody in which the member is duly qualified.
- Footcare Assistants, provided their duties are limited to the performance of such functions as have been recommended by the College, and that they have rapid access to the member
NB: ‘Rapid access’ means the member is in the same, or adjoining, building or is immediately contactable by electronic means (telephone/email) if the Footcare Assistant is working at a different location to that of the member.
Treatment given by a Podiatry Assistant must be limited to that which a normal, healthy person would do for him or herself – that is, should be limited to the cutting of normal healthy nails. To ensure there is no misunderstanding, members are advised that no cover is available in the event of a Podiatry Assistant working in the domiciliary field, or in a residential establishment, unless the supervising member is present in the building at the same time or is immediately contactable by electronic means at the same time.