The Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) is the

professional association A professional association (also called a professional body, professional organization, or professional society) usually seeks to advocacy, further a particular profession, the interests of individuals and organisations engaged in that professio ...

and

trade union A trade union (labor union in American English), often simply referred to as a union, is an organization of workers intent on "maintaining or improving the conditions of their employment", ch. I such as attaining better wages and benefits ( ...

for registered

chiropodist Podiatry () or podiatric medicine () is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and leg. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), or a podiatrist, is a healthcare ...

s and

podiatrist A podiatrist ( ) is a medical professional devoted to the treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. The term originated in North America but has now become the accepted term in the English-speaking world for ...

s in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotland, Wales and North ...

. Previously known as Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP) it changed its name in 2018 to the College of Podiatry and in 2021 became the Royal College of Podiatry. The charitable subsidiary of the organisation is the College of Podiatry which was formed in 2012. The union originated in 1912 as the Society of Chiropodists, the first organisation of chiropodists in Europe. In 1916, it was renamed the Incorporated Society of Chiropodists, and in 1919, it established examinations for potential new members. Several rival organisations emerged: the Northern Association of Chiropodists, the Chelsea Chiropodists Association and the British Association of Chiropodists. These merged with the Incorporated Society in 1945, the new body once more taking the name Society of Chiropodists. It was recognised as a negotiating body by the

National Health Service The National Health Service (NHS) is the umbrella term for the publicly funded healthcare systems of the United Kingdom (UK). Since 1948, they have been funded out of general taxation. There are three systems which are referred to using the " ...

in 1948, but did not register as a trade union until 1978. In 1993, it became the Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists, recognising the membership of

s, and in 1997, it affiliated to the

Trades Union Congress The Trades Union Congress (TUC) is a national trade union centre A national trade union center (or national center or central) is a federation or confederation of trade unions in a country. Nearly every country in the world has a national tra ...

. In 1998, the Association of Chief Chiropody Officers and the Podiatry Association both merged with the society. In 2021 The College of Podiatry has been renamed as th
Royal College of Podiatry
(RCPod) after being granted permission to use the title by Her Majesty The Queen.

Royal Patronage

Camilla, Queen Consort has been the society's Patron since 2005. The

Queen Mum Queen or QUEEN may refer to: Monarchy * Queen regnant, a female monarch of a Kingdom ** List of queens regnant * Queen consort, the wife of a reigning king * Queen dowager, the widow of a king * Queen mother, a queen dowager who is the mothe ...

was previously patron from 1993, up until her death in 2002.

Trade Union Activities

The trade union arm of the Royal College is delivered by a network of local representatives and regionally based Employment Relations Officers. The Royal College is a member of the TUC, the STUC, the WTUC and the Congress of Irish Trade Unions. Martin Furlong represents the College of Podiatry on the General Council of the TUC Katie Harwood represents the College of Podiatry on the Women’s Committee of the TUC

References

External links

Official websiteCatalogue of the SCP archives
held at the

Modern Records Centre, University of Warwick The Modern Records Centre (MRC) is the specialist archive service of the University of Warwick in Coventry, England, located adjacent to the Central Campus Library. It was established in October 1973 and holds the world's largest archive collecti ...

{{authority control Healthcare trade unions in the United Kingdom Organisations based in the London Borough of Southwark Podiatry organizations Trade unions established in 1945 Trade unions affiliated with the Trades Union Congress