What's happened 

A new NHS podiatry clinic at the University of Brighton has officially opened, bringing patient care and podiatry education together in one facility. 

The clinic is a partnership between the University and Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. It opened to patients in July and was officially launched on 6 October. 

More than 600 patients have already attended appointments. The clinic is expected to provide capacity for over 4,500 additional NHS appointments each year, helping meet demand for podiatry services across West Sussex and Brighton & Hove. 

The Trust currently receives around 9,300 referrals to its podiatry services each year. 

Learning alongside NHS practitioners 

The clinic will also provide clinical experience for students studying BSc (Hons) Podiatry at the University of Brighton. 

Students will work alongside NHS practitioners in a live clinical environment, putting their learning into practice and gaining experience of patient care. 

The University has a long history in podiatry education. It established the UK's first undergraduate podiatry degree and is now the only institution in the South East offering preregistration podiatry training. 

The University's podiatry degree is accredited by the Royal College of Podiatry, which works with education providers to maintain academic and clinical standards and support the development of the profession's future workforce. 

Professor Donna Whitehead, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Brighton, said: 

“Practice-based education is central to preparing healthcare professionals for the realities of their future careers. By bringing students and NHS practitioners together in a live clinical environment, this partnership gives our students the opportunity to learn from experts, develop their confidence and graduate ready to make a real difference to the NHS and to patients.” 

A return to where it began 

For Siobhan Melia, Chief Executive of Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust, the opening has a personal significance. 

Her own career began as a podiatry student at the University of Brighton. 

“This new clinic is fantastic news for our patients,” she said. 

“It also has a special personal significance for me, as my own journey to becoming an NHS Chief Executive began here, as a podiatry student at the University of Brighton. 

“I'm incredibly proud that our partnership will help patients get the care they need while giving future podiatrists the clinical experience and opportunities that were so important at the start of my own career.” 

Why it matters 

The opening comes at a time when podiatry services face workforce pressures. 

The number of HCPC-registered podiatrists has fallen by nearly nine per cent over the past five years, according to figures cited by the University of Brighton. 

By bringing students and NHS clinicians together, the partnership aims to strengthen clinical education while expanding access to NHS podiatry care. 

The clinic is based at the University's Brighton Sport & Health Complex in Falmer. It has improved accessibility, including additional parking and Blue Badge spaces close to the entrance. 

Links and references 

HCPC: Data hub