The Saks Report
The Saks Report
In 2021 the publication of the Saks Report made recommendations to address some of the challenges facing podiatry. Apprenticeships have the potential to support the implementation of at least five of these recommendations:
Recommendations about the scope of practice of podiatry
5. Podiatry’s scope of practice needs to be revisited and extended beyond simply the foot and/or ankle to highlight its more holistic and positive role in service and other contexts.
Recommendations about the organisational and support structure of podiatry
9. The podiatry career structure needs enhancing with more supported opportunities to develop in advanced practice/specialisms like podiatric surgery and further use of mentoring.
10. There is a need to foster better links between podiatrists working in the NHS and the independent sector, particularly in dealing with moderate – high risk patients.
Recommendations about increasing the sustainable supply of podiatrists14. Priority attention should be given to the diminishing supply of podiatrists, especially in an increasingly ageing profession.
17. More use needs to be made of flexible educational approaches like apprenticeships with appropriate monitoring and quality.
Download the Saks Report