FAQs

Podiatry is the study, diagnosis and treatment of problems affecting the foot, ankle and lower leg. A podiatrist is qualified to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the lower limb and foot. The field of podiatry includes many different specialty areas, such as nail surgery, sports medicine, bio-mechanics, elderly care and child health.

In most cases, a referral is not needed to see a podiatrist. However, certain patients, those with Department of Veterans Affairs cards and Medicare Care Plans and EPC's will need referrals from their GP.

It does contribute towards the cost of an appointment, but not for all patients. Medicare has an Enhanced Primary Care Program (EPC) which enables GP’s to refer patients with a chronic illness or disabilities (such as Diabetes) to Allied Health Service Providers, including Podiatrists, for a certain number of visits per year (up to 5 visits). See your GP to discuss your eligibility. A Medicare-EPC referral and Care Plan is required from your GP prior to Podiatry treatment.

Those with valid Medicare EPC referral will receive a rebate from Medicare into their nominated bank account. We do not bulk bill. This referral is required from your GP prior to your appointment.

Yes, we have a HICAPS terminal onsite, so please bring your private health card with you.

HICAPS allows you to claim directly from your Private Health funds. We have a terminal onsite, so please bring your private health card with you.

General consultations and treatments cover a wide scope of foot problems, including: Ingrown nails, Fungal nails, Thick nails, Corns, Callus, Dry cracked heels, Warts, Tinea, Diabetic foot assessments.

Orthotics or orthoses are inserts for the shoes that are designed to support, align, or improve the function of the foot. Orthotics fit comfortably inside your shoes. There are many different kinds of orthotic devices for specific treatment plans and conditions, and also for the many types of footwear . The orthotics we recommend are prescription devices, custom-made to suit your individual needs, your foot, and the way your body moves. There is a large variety of materials available, and these are always prescribed for your specific needs. Orthotic devices are used as one part of your overall treatment plan, for the management of your foot problem.

People of all ages with a variety of problems of the feet or lower leg benefit from wearing orthotics. Sports people are often prescribed orthotic devices by their Podiatrist to help maximise their performance and to help their recovery from injury. Anyone suffering from a chronic foot condition such as Plantar Fasciitis, heel pain or lower limb condition which is limiting their mobility or independence, may benefit from wearing orthotic devices.

You may be prescribed orthotics for your particular foot problem after a comprehensive assessment. Using The Footpoint Approach, we will consider the way your body moves (your biomechanics), your footwear, and your occupational and lifestyle environment factors. Orthotics provide long-term solutions in the treatment and prevention of corns, calluses and ulceration by redistributing the pressure of the body's weight on the feet. Orthotic management works to have even distribution of pressure throughout the foot and straight postural alignment through the body. Orthotics also help with the rehabilitation of acute and chronic foot conditions such as tendinosis, recurrent ankle sprains and stress fractures, by providing consistent postural control. Children may benefit from orthotic devices to help maintain their foot alignment during growth and development.

We begin with a thorough discussion and move into assessment to treat the patient and address the primary complaint.

Localised pain or problem areas are always the focus to assist in successful treatment. The technological component of the examination are extra tools often required to assist in diagnostic and prevention of further problems, illustrate a point, or measure an outcome.

It is important that you are prepared for the consultation process.
1. Dress - Patient should wear suitable clothing to be examined according to the relation of the problem, gym or exercise attire is recommended. However it is always advisable to check with the clinic when making an appointment.
2. Footwear - Patient should bring 2 to 3 of their most worn shoes along to the appointment eg joggers, dress and sandals.
3. Health - Patient should also include a list of all medication and be feeling “normal” as opposed to arriving stressed and fatigued.

An initial consultation that requires a biomechanics assessment can take up to an hour to complete. Using The Footpoint Approach, we take a thorough history, along with extensive physical assessment.
Footpoint uses technology that assess posture, foot pressure, centre of gravity, bio feedback, stability and gait. The technology also integrates the findings into prescription orthotics considering shape and function of foot including foot pressure data. Foot orthotics are fabricated from the gathered information, optical scans and foot pressure scans.
The Footpoint Treadmill Assessment allows a highly accurate biomechanical analysis of your gait, by calculating the plantar pressures during walking and running.

Yes it is. Especially if your child trips over a lot, complains of sore feet, knee pain or leg pain after sport, or complains that their shoes hurt. These are all signs that something is not right and the child should be professionally assessed by a podiatrist before the problem becomes worse.

Your full medical history is taken, and a clinical diagnosis of the fungal infection is confirmed. We then explain the process of the laser treatment, outlining your specific treatment plan. It is important to understand that fungal spores can be hidden within nails that look un-affected. For this reason, to avoid re-infection we treat all nails to give an improved success rate. Guidelines are discussed to further assist with avoiding re-infection
Our Lunula cold laser is non-invasive and does not require a recovery period, keeping you free to continue your normal day to day activities after the laser treatment.
Most Health funds with podiatry cover will pay a rebate, but please bear in mind they do vary. We can give you the codes to check with your health fund provider.

We have a strict 24 hour notice of cancelling or rescheduling an appointment.
At Footpoint Podiatry we have a cancellation / rescheduling policy because we respect that your time is valuable and we appreciate that you understand ours is too.

Footpoint Podiatry is committed to providing the highest quality care and achieving the best possible treatment outcomes for our patients.

Your appointment is reserved just for you.

We ensure that every appointment is confirmed, so you are well aware of the time that you are required at the clinic. A reminder text message is sent to you the day before you appointment, giving you 24 hours notice.

A late cancellation and rescheduling, or missed visit leaves a gap in our podiatrist’s schedule that could have been filled by another patient on the waitlist for an appointment.

We require 24 hours notice to be given for an appointment cancellation or rescheduling.

By giving us one (1) days’ notice, you will allow us to offer your appointment time to another patient on our waiting list.

If you are running late, the clinic reserves the right to shorten your treatment time to ensure that our Podiatrists are not late for their next following patient.

All appointments cancelled and rescheduled on the day of the appointment and no-show appointments will incur a full appointment fee. This includes all appointment types including NDIS appointments.

We believe this is a fair approach, providing you with every opportunity to ensure you are aware of our policy.

How We Process the Payment

We will send you an invoice via email or post to be paid.
This payment can be made via credit card over the phone, bank transfer or in person.
We will not be able to make any future appointments until the outstanding amount is paid.
In cases of multiple missed appointments, you will be asked to pay for your appointment in advance.