Future medical students walk the walk as they visit Northampton podiatry clinic

High School students who want to study medicine got an important first-hand look at the work of lower limb specialists when they visited the University of Northampton’s podiatry clinic.

Year 8 and Year 12 students from Northampton Academy spent a day alongside fully qualified podiatrists and students from the University of Northampton podiatry course.

The day involved sessions focusing on patient care, diagnosis and scanning. The students looked at and used some of the specialist, high-tech equipment used in the clinic, including ultrasound imaging and vascular and neurological assessments.

They also had a full tour of the clinic, including the orthotics laboratory where insoles and support wear are made.

The University of Northampton’s Podiatry Clinic.

The visit was such a success that the academy will be returning with a fresh crop of budding medical professionals within the next few weeks.

Paul Fletcher, Senior Lecturer in podiatry at University of Northampton, said: “I have always been keen on involving school children with our podiatry clinic and these visits seem to be working really well with some very positive comments from school children and their tutors. We’re looking forward to meeting more potential podiatry professionals over the coming weeks and months.”

Elspeth Duncan, Science Teacher and Key Stage 3 Co-ordinator at Northampton Academy said: “This was an excellent and unique opportunity for the students to understand the vital role that Podiatry plays in the community. Pupils were enlightened to the huge variety of cases that podiatrists see, including sports players, children and even being able to perform surgery themselves. The pupils thoroughly enjoyed hands on tasks such as ultra-sounding each-others’ ankles and feet. I am looking forward to returning more keen pupils!”

Sixth form student Olukemi Adeyemi, who wants to go on and study medicine, added: “The visit to the Podiatry Clinic provided me with an understanding of the medical conditions patients are referred with and the treatment and care they receive from professionals.”

Science student Kaycee O’Connor also enjoyed the day, saying: “Going on the trip to the Podiatry Clinic really opened my eyes into how much we should take care of our feet. This trip was very interesting and I had great fun.”

Future engagement work with the podiatry team include open evenings for local school for pupils to come in to the clinic for some ‘hands on’ feet workshops, arranged through the National Collaborative Outreach Programme.

NCOP is a Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) project aimed at raising applications to university from students in disadvantaged areas of the county.

Find out more about studying podiatry at the University of Northampton.