Enhanced practice pathways

Enhanced practice pathways in podiatry

Description
Case-based guidance on developing advanced practice in podiatry through multi-professional, patient-centred approaches.

Summary
This guidance explores the development and implementation of enhanced and advanced practice roles within podiatry. As the profession continues to evolve to meet complex population health needs, the document aims to support both individual practitioners and service leaders in designing and embedding new roles that are safe, evidence-informed and patient-centred.

Developed as part of the NHS England Education Reform programme, the document draws on the Centre for Advancing Practice’s framework and the 4 recognised pillars of practice:

• clinical

• leadership

• education 

• research

It highlights the growing diversity of podiatric practice and sets out examples of how podiatrists can work at a higher level of autonomy, manage complex caseloads and contribute to system-wide transformation.

The guidance includes case studies from across the UK that demonstrate the varied ways podiatrists are advancing their scope of practice. Examples include enhanced roles in vascular services, diabetes care, musculoskeletal health and frailty. Each case study presents the rationale, training route, clinical setting and observed impact.

The guidance also includes a series of discussion prompts and reflective questions designed to help individuals, managers and educators think critically about what ‘enhanced practice’ means in different contexts. These prompts can support workforce planning, supervision conversations, or local transformation programmes.

This guidance encourages the profession to think beyond traditional service boundaries and recognises that enhanced practice is not a fixed destination, but a journey shaped by skills, evidence and patient need. It provides a practical foundation for supporting podiatrists to take on more complex roles safely and with appropriate governance.