I work for the Podiatry Service in Swansea Bay University Health Board, with my work based mostly within Port Talbot Resource Centre.
Heddwyn Phillips - Community Pharmacist
About my role
I work with a different variety of patients ranging from young to old. These patients present themselves with a varying range of foot and lower limb conditions. On any given day I will interact with the wider health care teams, such as GPs, wound care teams, physiotherapists and orthotists.
My typical day may involve triaging patients, attending to patients who have booked appointments in our urgent clinics and on occasions, carrying out surgery.
Becoming a podiatrist
Whilst studying for my A-Levels I decided that I would like to pursue a career related to medicine. After looking at various courses and attending a university open day, I decided that podiatry was a good fit with the course including subjects such as anatomy and physiology which I enjoyed.
To be a good Podiatrist you need to have:
- communication and interpersonal skills
- good practical and ergonomic skill
- good knowledge and understanding of areas of science
- caring and empathetic nature
The one thing I have learnt after 25 years of practicing which I feel is greater than all of the above is being a good listener.
Making a difference
A podiatrist’s job can be very rewarding; our early intervention in high-risk conditions on the majority of occasions will prevent a potential deterioration of the presenting issue which can have a profound effect on life and limb.