British Footcare Group™
POLICY DOCUMENT
Clinical Procedures & Treatment Standards
1. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to establish clear and consistent clinical operating procedures (SOPs) across British Footcare Group.
These procedures support the safe and effective delivery of foot health and podiatry treatments, guided by recognised professional standards, current best practice, and a patient-centred approach to care.
Our approach is aligned with CQC regulatory principles and supported by appropriate clinical governance frameworks. In addition, British Footcare Group is ICO registered, ensuring that all patient data is handled responsibly, securely, and in accordance with data protection requirements.
2. Scope
- This standard applies to all aspects of clinical operations including:
- HCPC Registered Podiatrists, and Experienced Foot Health Practitioners (FHPs).
- Clinical support staff and administrative personnel handling patient data or surgical equipment.
- Interventions performed at Bramhall, Stockport, Altrincham, and Alderley Edge clinics.
- All domiciliary visits and mobile clinical services conducted under the British Footcare Group brand.
3. Core Clinical Principles
01. Patient Safety
Upholding rigorous hygiene and sterilisation protocols to eliminate cross-contamination risks.
02. Clinical Precision
Ensuring every procedure is delivered with technical mastery and strict adherence to standards.
03. Holistic Care
We take a broader view of foot health, considering any relevant medical or lifestyle factors where appropriate to help support long-term foot care and comfort.
04. Evidence-Based Action
Rooting all clinical interventions in validated research and proven podiatric best practices.
05. Informed Consent
Empowering patients through transparent communication of procedural steps, outcomes, and risks.
06. Professional Conduct
Maintaining integrity and the highest level of accountability in all clinical interactions.
4. Patient Assessment
All patients receive an initial assessment at the start of their appointment, allowing the clinician to understand their needs and identify any concerns.
This may include:
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Discussion of symptoms or reason for visit
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Relevant medical history where appropriate
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Visual examination of the feet
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Identification of any conditions requiring treatment
Not all patients require a full or formal assessment (for example, routine or returning patients), but clinicians will always review current needs during each visit.
Where necessary:
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Findings are explained clearly
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Treatment options are discussed
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Records are updated to support continuity of care
5. Consent
- Informed consent is central to our clinical practice. Clinicians must ensure patients fully understand the benefits, risks, and alternatives to any proposed intervention.
- Verbal consent is obtained for all routine clinical procedures.
- Written consent is mandatory for surgical interventions or high-risk treatments.
- Patients retain the right to withdraw consent at any stage of the clinical journey.
6. Treatment Delivery
At British Footcare Group, all treatments are delivered within a safe, clean and professional clinical environment, guided by recognised podiatry standards and best practice.
Our clinicians are committed to:
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Maintaining high standards of infection control and hygiene
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Using appropriate and effective instrument cleaning and sterilisation processes
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Delivering treatment in a structured and clinically appropriate manner
Care is always provided with a focus on:
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Patient safety and comfort
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Clear communication throughout the appointment
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Managing conditions effectively and appropriately
Where required, treatment plans and follow-up care are discussed with you to support ongoing foot health and ensure the best possible outcomes.
7. Core + Additional Treatment Model
To provide clear and transparent care, we operate a “Core + Additional Treatment” approach.
All appointments begin with a core treatment, which includes essential foot health care such as assessment, nail care and routine skin management.
Where additional conditions are identified—such as corns, verrucae, fungal nails or more complex concerns—these are discussed with you during the appointment. Any further treatment is only carried out with your agreement.
This approach ensures every patient receives a thorough baseline standard of care, while still having full clarity and control over any additional treatment and associated costs.
8. Children & Vulnerable Adults
We are committed to providing a safe, professional and respectful environment for all patients, including children and vulnerable adults.
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All staff are DBS checked
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We follow appropriate safeguarding procedures across all clinics
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Parents, guardians or carers are encouraged to be involved where appropriate
Our clinicians and support team take a calm, respectful and patient-centred approach, ensuring each individual feels comfortable throughout their visit.
Where additional care or sensitivity is required, we adapt our approach to suit the needs of the patient, maintaining dignity and clear communication at all times.
9. Clinical Escalation
8. Children & Vulnerable Adults: We maintain rigorous safeguarding standards for all patients. Specialist protocols ensure that children and vulnerable adults receive care that is protected, consented, and appropriately supervised at all times.
10. Record Keeping
- 10.1 Full patient name, date of birth, and address.
- 10.2 Comprehensive medical history and current medications.
- 10.3 Detailed assessment and diagnostic findings.
- 10.4 Documented evidence of informed consent.
- 10.5 Specifics of treatment actions and immediate outcomes.
- 10.6 Professional advice and follow-up precautions shared.
- 10.7 Clear identification of the treating clinician.
- 10.8 Entries must be timely, legible, and contemporaneous.
- 10.9 Full compliance with GDPR and statutory regulations.
- 10.10 Multi-layered encryption for digital clinical data.
- 10.11 Minimum retention period of 12 years post-treatment.
11. Infection Control Compliance
British Footcare Group strictly adheres to clinical decontamination standards. We employ vacuum autoclaving for all metal instruments, single-use disposables for surgical components, and robust Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) protocols to eliminate the risk of cross-contamination and ensure a sterile environment for every patient.
Data Security Standards
All clinical records are hosted on ISO-certified secure servers with redundant backups. Physical access to patient devices is controlled via biometric or strong password verification, ensuring that confidentiality is maintained across all points of the patient journey, from booking to clinical review.
12. Professional Conduct
All clinical staff are required to maintain the highest standards of professional ethics and clinical integrity. Our conduct is strictly aligned with GMC, NMC, and HCPC regulatory frameworks, ensuring every patient interaction is defined by dignity, respect, and complete transparency in care delivery.
13. Monitoring & Consistency
Clinical performance is monitored through a rigorous framework of regular audits, peer-to-peer reviews, and structured patient feedback loops. These mechanisms ensure that our purple and gold standards of excellence are applied consistently across all clinic locations, maintaining clinical safety and service quality.
14. Continuous Improvement
We are a learning organisation. We remain at the forefront of podiatric medicine through continuous professional development, implementation of the latest evidence-based research, and rapid adaptation of services in response to clinical advancements and patient needs.
15. Commitment
Our ultimate commitment is to patient safety and restorative mobility. We pledge to provide a service that is clinically superior, compassionate, and accessible to every member of the community we serve.