First4feet

First4feet, podiatry and physiotherapy clinic in south Essex

First4feet is a podiatry and physiotherapy clinic with three locations in Hadleigh, Rayleigh and Westcliff, serving clients from much of south east Essex. The clinic was established in 2015 and was taken over by the husband-and-wife team Sajeed and Daiva in early 2016, as the company itself reports.

The team consists of qualified and registered foot health practitioners, a physiotherapist, a visiting podiatrist and an aesthetic practitioner. The clinic states that together they have more than 30 years of combined experience across both the UK's National Health Service (NHS) and the private sector.

Podiatry treatments and services

The offering is built around several main services:

• Full foot treatment: one of the most requested at all locations; as well as improving the condition of the foot, it helps detect problems before they worsen and start any necessary treatment as soon as possible.
• Toenail and fingernail cutting: aimed at those who have difficulty holding nail clippers safely or reaching their toenails.
• Home visits: a podiatry service in the patient's own home, designed for people with mobility problems or who prefer not to go out. Practitioners are DBS checked and experienced in home visits; where possible, they prefer a ground-floor room with an upright chair, such as a dining room or kitchen, and they adapt the treatment to each patient's mobility needs.
• Care home visits: podiatry care for residents of care homes, with the same DBS certification and patient adaptation conditions.

Clinical and hygiene protocols

The clinic emphasises its focus on clinical cleanliness and states that it strictly follows the care guidelines set out for foot health professionals. Instruments are sterilised in an autoclave and remain sterile in vacuum-sealed pouches until opened during treatment, which prevents the risk of cross-contamination between patients. Treatments are carried out only by fully qualified and insured practitioners with advanced DBS certification.

When practitioners consider that the patient would benefit from the opinion of a surgeon or specialist, they refer them. The clinic notes that it works closely with GP surgeries and local care providers.

Accessibility of the locations

All three clinics are designed to be accessible to wheelchair users or people with mobility problems. Treatment rooms are on the ground floor at all three locations and have accessible toilets. The company states that the locations have ample parking and easy access to bus routes.

Frequently asked questions about appointments and payments

The information published by the clinic sets out several conditions regarding bookings and payments. New clients pay £20 when booking their first appointment; the fee is non-refundable if cancellation or non-attendance is notified with less than 24 hours' notice, and the balance of the treatment is settled at the end of the session. If the patient does not attend without notice, the full fees for the booked service apply. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice incur a £20 charge; if cancelled on the day of the appointment, the patient is liable for the full cost.

Payment can be made by debit or credit card, cash, cheque, Apple Pay or Android Pay. A £10 assessment consultation is also offered, paid at the time of booking and non-refundable if cancelled or not attended with less than 24 hours' notice; if the consultation leads to one of the available treatments, the cost of that treatment is reduced by the £10 already paid.

Ongoing training of the team

First4feet presents itself as a constantly evolving service. Its practitioners keep their clinical professional development up to date through courses, conferences and talks aimed at honing skills, acquiring new ones and learning about emerging treatments.

Locations and premises

Hadleigh clinic: 217 London Road, Hadleigh, Benfleet, Essex SS7 2RD · Phone: 01702 554445

Rayleigh clinic: 144 High Street, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7BU · Phone: 01268 931149

Westcliff clinic: 138-140 Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, Essex SS0 7LW · Phone: 01702 554445