Time for Change? Why Foot Care in Care Homes Needs Stronger Regulation – The Role of HCPC-Registered Podiatrists

In the daily life of a care home, countless systems are in place to ensure safety, dignity, and well-being for residents — from medication management to meal preparation, areas which form part of resident’s person-centred care plans and are regulated by CQC.

Yet one crucial area often slips through the regulatory net, Foot Care.

Across the UK, there is currently no mandatory regulation governing who can provide foot care in care homes. This means that anyone, regardless of formal training or clinical competency can offer services under titles like “foot health practitioner”.

The consequences of this lack of oversight can be serious, particularly for elderly and medically vulnerable residents.

Unregulated Foot Care: A Silent Risk

Many foot problems in older adults start small but can quickly escalate if not managed appropriately. An ingrown toenail, untreated fungal infection, or unnoticed skin breakdown can result in pain, immobility, infection, and, in the case of high-risk patients considerably more dangerous complications.

Without regulation, care homes may unknowingly allow underqualified providers to deliver treatments beyond their competence — often without insurance, clinical supervision, or proper hygiene standards.

In an environment where residents are more susceptible to complications due to age-related health conditions like diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or cognitive decline, this is a dangerous gap.

HCPC-Registered Podiatrists: A Clinical Standard We Can Trust

To address these risks, the gold standard in foot care must be HCPC-registered podiatrists. These are highly trained, legally protected professionals who:

• Hold a degree-level qualification in podiatric medicine
• Work to nationally regulated standards
• Are trained to diagnose, treat, and manage complex foot and lower limb conditions
• Undergo mandatory continuing professional development (CPD)
• Are insured, accountable, and subject to disciplinary processes

Only HCPC-registered podiatrists are equipped to deliver clinical foot care in a way that safeguards residents’ health, not just their comfort.

Why Regulation is Urgently Needed

We do not allow unregistered individuals to administer medication, perform wound care, or manage nutrition — yet when it comes to foot health, the door remains wide open.

Stronger regulation is essential to:

• Protect vulnerable residents from unintentional harm
• Ensure consistency in care quality across all settings
• Support care home managers in making informed, compliant service choices
• Avoid unnecessary NHS admissions due to preventable foot complications

A Call to Action for Care Operators and Policymakers

If we are truly committed to the holistic care of older people, we must stop viewing foot care as an ancillary or cosmetic service. Instead, it should be recognised as a core part of elderly care one that deserves the same level of regulation, oversight, and professionalism as other health services.

What can be done now?

• Care home leaders should commit to working only with HCPC-registered podiatrists for foot care services.
• Commissioners and regulators should push for mandatory regulation of all providers delivering clinical foot care.
• Families and advocates should ask care providers what qualifications their foot care professionals hold.

The Future We need to raise the bar. For too long, foot care in care homes has flown under the radar — undervalued, unregulated, and inconsistently delivered. The risks to residents are too great to ignore and can also leave Care Homes exposed.