Tanya Stuart

Podiatrist

I am a newly qualified band 5 podiatrist with the NHS. I studied at the university of Brighton Eastbourne campus. I was one of the last student cohorts to be funded by the nhs bursary scheme. I was part of a great year group, with a real mix of ages. Being a mature student I was worried I might be left out of social activities but with such a mix of people in my year group it was easy to make friends, to meet up with and study with.

I came to Herne Bay and Canterbury as part of my placement module. It was the best decision I have ever made, I was welcomed in to all the sessions and taught on 1:1 through my domains. I was able to ask questions as I shadowed and get lots of hands on experience.

Emma Turner

Podiatry Team Leader - Medway

I manage a team of 13 clinicians who provide the Podiatry service for Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust across Medway. This includes Podiatry in community health centres, community domiciliary settings, nursing/care homes, hospices and day centres, children’s centres, a minor surgery clinic and 2 prisons.

I qualified as a Podiatrist from the University of Huddersfield in 2010 and quickly progressed to a senior clinician role within KCHFT. This provided me with a platform and opportunity to be considered for a management post which I was successful at gaining in 2017.

My role as a clinician, as well as within management, has taught me a lot about myself as a person, secured my beliefs about why I chose a profession in health care working for the NHS. It has allowed opportunities for personal and professional growth within people management, patient centred care and the crucial Podiatrists play within a larger multidisciplinary health care package. The skills and knowledge I have gained are invaluable and transferrable to many possibilities for future employment and progression.