Independent practice

When podiatrists graduate and gain registration with the HCPC, they can decide whether to work in the NHS or independent practice.

Working in independent practice – sometimes called private practice - is particularly well-suited to people who want to:

• Be their own boss
• Have more control over their schedule and working hours
• Employ people in their area and develop their skills within their business
• Enrich the local community by providing a key clinical service to patients.

Where can I work as an independent practitioner?

Typically, independent practitioners work in two sorts of environments. In a podiatry clinic or  doing home visits (called domiciliary visits), or a mixture of the two. Many people who decide that they want to work in independent practice often start as an employee, before going on to set up their own practice.

Salary/benefits

The salary and benefits you receive will depend on your situation. For example, do you work in an independent practice or a high street podiatry service, or do you own it? If you do own it, how many chairs are in the practice? Do you own more than one practice?

• Typically, you can expect to earn around £30,000 to £50,000 a year if you work in an independent practice
• If you own a successful single-chair private practice, you can earn around £50,000 to £250,000
• If you own a multi-chair private practice, you can earn around £100,000 to £500,000
• Owning a successful multi-site private practice can earn you around £150,000 to £1,000,000+.

Your income can also be affected by your:

• Experience
• Geographical location
• The type of podiatry you practise
• The type of treatment you provide
• Your reputation
• The hours you work.

How can I start my own independent practice?

There are lots of tools and resources available to help people looking to start their own business. In the UK, the government’s website contains plenty of information about self-employment and starting a business.

Starting your own business requires an enterprising spirit, strength, and plenty of planning. It will make you consider and learn skills that go beyond those you were taught in your clinical training. Starting any business is not without risk, but the benefits and opportunities that come from carving out your own opportunities and work/life balance are immense.