Advanced Practicing Podiatrists – High Risk Foot Group Inc.

Advanced Practicing Podiatrists – High Risk Foot Group Inc. is a national professional organisation dedicated to advancing podiatric care for individuals at significant risk of lower limb amputation. The group brings together podiatrists working across diverse healthcare settings to translate evidence-based practice into clinical care, fostering excellence in high-risk foot management and preventing avoidable amputations through collaborative professional development and advocacy.

Preventing Avoidable Lower Limb Amputations

The organisation’s flagship activity centres on preventing avoidable lower limb amputations through comprehensive high-risk foot care. Advanced Practicing Podiatrists – High Risk Foot Group Inc. achieves this by providing networking opportunities, facilitating translation of scientific advances into clinical practice, and collaborating with other healthcare organisations to advocate for health policies that support excellence in podiatry services for people with serious lower limb complications.

Mission and Vision

The organisation’s mission is to advance health by recognising and empowering all podiatrists as essential healthcare professionals in the design, monitoring, and delivery of high-risk foot care. The group believes that a robust and supported podiatry profession enhances the quality of care for individuals with serious lower limb complications and significantly benefits the public. The vision is to establish a National Podiatry Network for translating evidence, experience, and expertise into practice for managing people at high risk of lower limb amputation.

Main Objectives

• Providing networking and professional development opportunities to support open exchange of knowledge amongst podiatrists
• Promoting and facilitating translation of scientific and clinical advances into clinical practice
• Reviewing and endorsing position statements and guidelines to support excellence in podiatry
• Collaborating with other organisations to provide expert advice and advocate for health policies that promote high-risk foot care
• Supporting the high-risk foot workforce by fostering career opportunities and professional growth

Benefiting Groups

The organisation serves podiatrists working across the continuum of care, including service managers, advanced practitioners, community-based and private practitioners, and researchers. Ultimately, the primary beneficiaries are people at high risk of lower limb amputation, particularly those with diabetes-related foot disease, peripheral neuropathy, and other serious lower limb complications who receive improved quality care through enhanced podiatry services.

Types of Services and Activities

• Biennial LEAP Conference providing quality education and networking opportunities for professional development
• Journal Club discussions reviewing current research and evidence in high-risk foot care
• Mentor Program supporting early-career podiatrists through structured mentorship from experienced practitioners
• Webinars and roadshow seminars offering accessible professional education
• High Risk Foot Exchange member-only platform for sharing knowledge and experience
• Advocacy and policy collaboration with other healthcare organisations and government bodies