The London Podiatry Centre Limited

Updated 14 November 2019

The London Podiatry Centre Limited was based in Lewisham, Southeast London and specialised in elective foot surgery and the management of conditions relating to athletics and other sports.

It provided a range of diagnostic and screening services, surgical interventions under local anaesthetic, and non-surgical treatments. The practice claimed to offer the most advanced independent podiatric gait analysis facility in Europe.

Elective podiatric surgery was performed two days a week within the theatre room and cases consisted of sterile surgical forefoot procedures and soft tissue treatments. All procedures were carried out under local anaesthesia.

There was always one or two surgical assistants, depending on the complexity of the procedure. Procedures were carried out by a consultant podiatric surgeon and his assistants (podiatrists) who carried out scrub duties to assist with surgery.

Surgery was performed on adult patients only. Similarly to other podiatric practices, adults and children were seen for general podiatry, biomechanics and in-grown toe nails. These aspects were out of the scope of this inspection.

According to data provided by the centre, we saw that 11 children and young people received ultrasonic scans in the last year. While the podiatric aspects of their care was out of the scope of this inspection, we have included some information in the relevant section of our report.

The Nominated Individual was Mr Ron McCulloch, consultant podiatric surgeon.

Updated 14 November 2019

We rated this service as Good overall.

The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. The service managed incidents well and learned lessons from them.

Staff provided good care and treatment. Managers made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients and supported them to make decisions about their care and had access to good information.

Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients and their families.

The service took account of patients’ individual needs and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and did not have to wait long for treatment.

Leaders ran services well using electronic information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities.

Services for children and young people were a small proportion of the centre’s activity and most of the treatments undertaken were out of the scope of this inspection. We have not rated this service.

Updated 14 November 2019

Services for children and young people was a very small proportion of the centre’s activity and the regulated activity comprises just 11 patients, who had diagnostic ultrasound investigations as part of their general podiatric treatments.

We have included information about diagnostic imaging on children into this part of the report.

​ As the main activity was surgery, we have reported our findings in the surgery section where we found the arrangements to be the same.  

Updated 14 November 2019

Elective podiatric surgery was the main regulated activity performed at the centre.

Cases consisted of sterile surgical forefoot procedures and soft tissue treatments, all of which were carried out under local anaesthesia.

Soft tissue treatments were out of the scope of this inspection and all surgical procedures were only offered to adults.