Podiatry Services Available at South Coast Medical

When you look after yourself and your health, it’s often easy to forget about your feet. Your feet and ankles ‘bear the brunt’ of your body weight and are in constant demand. Problems with your feet can have a huge impact on your quality of life. Foot and ankle problems can be due to chronic medical conditions like arthritis or diabetes or quite simply caused by everyday situations, by wearing poorly fitting shoes or even just from overuse. These can all lead to temporary or acute pain. That’s where Podiatry services can help.

Podiatry can help to improve your mobility and independence through the prevention and management of foot problems. A Podiatrist is specially trained to assess, diagnose, treat, and manage abnormal foot health.

Podiatry consultations are currently only available at the Rosebud clinic.

The Podiatrist’s scope of practice includes:

• Management of nail and skin pathologies (such as abnormally growing toenails and callous formation, skin reactions)
• Wound management
• Biomechanical management, including the review of walking and running styles, and orthotic prescription and review
• Footwear review and advice
• Foot health assessments covering, diabetes foot, peripheral vascular disease, neurological, autoimmune, immunosuppressed assessments
• Pediatric (Child) foot assessment and management
• Shin splints, Athletes foot and Arch pain
• Podiatric surgeries, including in-grown toe nails

Why choose Podiatry at South Coast Medical?

The podiatrists consulting from South Coast Medical facilities are all fully qualified and registered health professionals. They employ an evidence based practice and client centred approach to providing health care, meaning you can be assured that all treatments provided are at the highest level and based upon your input, needs, and consent.

You do not need to be a patient of one of the clinics to see the Podiatrist, and no referral is required.  

The clinic accepts a number of plans and claims, including:

• Chronic Disease Management (Enhanced Primary Care) Plans
• Private Health Insurance
• Pension/Health Care Cards
• Department of Veterans Affairs
• Transport Accident Commission
• Work Cover Claims

Podiatrists consulting at South Coast Medical

Brenton West (Every Thursday and alternate Saturdays at Capel Sound (Rosebud)

Brenton graduated from Charles Sturt University in Albury with degrees in Podiatry and Clinical Education (post graduate).

Over his career, Brenton has worked in multiple high risk/wound clinics, three falls prevention services, six hospitals in acute, rehabilitation and amputee wards, community health, and as the Podiatry manager at the Wimmera Health Care Group. Brenton has served as an academic staff member at Charles Sturt University. Brenton has also held unique roles working in correctional health and as a Consultant Educator for Queensland Health. Brenton has completed and published research on the association of statins and peripheral neuropathy, which he has presented at state and national level conferences.

Brenton was the inaugural chair of the New Graduate & Developing Podiatrist Special Interest Group, Board member and newsletter editor of the Advanced Practicing Podiatrist – High Risk Foot Group, and Director and Student/University Liaison of the Australian Podiatry Association (Victoria).

Brenton has also volunteered as a sports trainer podiatrist for Indoor Sports Victoria and the State Netball teams, as well as Oxfam Trail Walk Melbourne.

Outside of work, Brenton grew up on the Mornington Peninsula, and lived in Rye as a child. Brenton is a volunteer fire-fighter for the Frankston Fire Brigade, is completing further post-graduate study, and is attempting to renovate his house. Brenton’s favourite colour is green, he enjoys reading books, and is a keen baker.

Elton Medell (Tuesday and Wednesday at Rye)

Elton Medell is an experienced New Zealand trained Podiatrist who is registered with AHPRA.

Since qualifying, Elton has held contracts with two Primary Health Organisations in New Zealand and managed nine clinics. He also provided podiatric treatment to clients registered to Arthritis New Zealand.

Elton is currently employed in the Public Health Care Sector and also works at a Private Practice. He has a passion for managing clients who present with diabetic foot complications

Please note: Elton does not consult patients under the age of 17

Elton is an independent practitioner consulting from the Rye clinic

A multidisciplinary approach

At South Coast Medical, we practice with a multidisciplinary team approach, meaning that the Podiatrist will work together with other health professionals when required to optimise your care.

Multidisciplinary team work is a strength of South Coast Medical in the private podiatry sector, with on-site access to:

• General Practitioners
• Physiotherapists
• Dietitians
• Diabetes Educators
• Nurses
• On Site Pathology
• Psychology
• Audiology