ROYAL COLLEGE OF PODIATRY
Podiatry in the news - Summer 2026
Podiatry has been popping up across the media this summer. Here are some of the stories that caught our eye recently.
Podiatrists and podiatry services regularly feature in local, regional and national media. From patient care and professional achievements to research, community and charity work, this coverage helps raise awareness of the profession and the difference it makes to people's lives.
From flip flops to fisherman’s sandals: How to look after your feet this summer
Publication: BBC news
Date: 5 August 2026
Summer often brings media interest in footwear and how people can look after their feet in warmer weather.
Helen Branthwaite, Chief Clinical Adviser at the Royal College of Podiatry, spoke to BBC News about everything from flip flops and clogs to trainers and fisherman's sandals.
Helen also appeared in a BBC News reel on Instagram and spoke to BBC Radio Sussex and BBC Radio Berkshire about summer foot health.
Watch the BBC News reel on Instagram
BBC Radio Sussex — 6 August, from 1hr 40min
BBC Radio Berkshire — 5 August, from 1hr 13min
Dorset podiatrist received Royal College of Podiatry award
Publication: Daily Echo
Date: 26 June 2026
The Daily Echo celebrated Debbie Sharman's Diamond Lifetime Achievement Award at the Royal College of Podiatry's annual awards ceremony in June.
Sam Leonard, Head of Planned and Specialist Services at Dorset HealthCare, described Debbie as "a true trailblazer in her field", highlighting her work championing the care of people with diabetes and developing the consultant podiatrist role.
Bournemouth podiatrist wins lifetime award
Publication: Bournemouth One
Date: 26 June 2026
Bournemouth One also marked Debbie's achievement, noting that the Award is the highest honour awarded by the Royal College of Podiatry and is limited to 25 living recipients at any one time.
Read more: https://news.bournemouthone.com/90600/
Horrified by your feet? Six ways they can predict your health
Publication: The Times
Date: 20 July 2026
The Times looked beyond how our feet appear to explore what changes in the feet can sometimes tell us about our wider health.
Grim heatwave warning issued to anyone wearing same shoes twice in a row
Publication: Tyla
Date: 8 July 2026
Back to the weather. Hot conditions can create some less-than-pleasant problems for our feet, including infections, ingrown toenails and odour.
Tyla looked at why wearing the same shoes day after day during hot weather might not be such a good idea.
Read more: https://www.tyla.com/life/uk-heatwave-health-warning-feet-shoes-141845-20260708
New chief appointed to oversee Wales' physiotherapists, podiatrists and speech therapists
Publication: Caerphilly Observer
Date: 4 August 2026
Meanwhile in Wales, the Caerphilly Observer reported on the appointment of podiatrist Gareth Evans as Chief Allied Health Professions Officer for Wales. A hire we have recently covered in The New Podiatrist.
QMU graduate launches podiatry career with new Midlothian practice
Publication: Edinburgh News
Date: 5 August 2026
And in Scotland, a newly qualified podiatrist from Queen Margaret University made the news after opening a new podiatry practice in Midlothian.
Why this matters
Positive media coverage can raise awareness of podiatry, celebrate professional achievements and show the breadth of work taking place across the profession.
If you've spotted podiatry making the news where you live or work, we'd like to hear about it.
Contact: thenewpodiatrist@rcpod.org.uk
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