FAQs

No. You do not need a GP referral to see a podiatrist in Australia. Podiatrists are primary-contact, university-trained medical specialists, and you can book directly with us by calling (08) 8298 4166 or booking online.

A GP referral is only required in two situations:

• If you wish to claim a Medicare rebate under a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan (formerly the Medicare EPC Plan). Your GP must prepare the plan and refer you to us – eligible patients receive a rebate on up to five allied health consultations per calendar year.
• If you are a DVA (Department of Veterans’ Affairs) patient, a referral from your GP is required.

For all other appointments – private, health-fund-rebated, or WorkCover – no referral is needed. For more detail on how referrals work, see our Referrals page.

You can book an appointment with Brighton Road Podiatry in three ways:

• Phone – call reception on (08) 8298 4166 during opening hours.
• Online – book 24/7 through our website’s online booking system (Halaxy).
• Email – admin@brightonroadpodiatry.com.au for general enquiries.

No, all appointments at Brighton Road Podiatry are pre-booked to ensure each patient receives our full attention and the time their condition requires. Please call (08) 8298 4166 or book online before visiting.

We understand foot pain can be unexpected and disruptive. While our clinic is often booked in advance, we do our best to accommodate urgent cases and can sometimes fit patients in on the same day, particularly for acute concerns such as ingrown toenails, sudden severe pain, wounds, or infections. Please call reception on (08) 8298 4166 as early in the day as possible if you need to be seen urgently – we’ll let you know what’s available.

Appointment length depends on the type of consultation. As a general guide:

• Initial consultation – typically 30 to 45 minutes, allowing time for full assessment, diagnosis, and a treatment plan.
• Follow-up appointment – typically 20 to 30 minutes.
• Orthotic fitting or scanning – additional time is allowed for 3D scanning and biomechanical assessment.
• Nail surgery – appointments are longer to allow for local anaesthetic and the procedure itself.

Our reception team will advise the expected length when you book.

We ask that you provide as much notice as possible if you need to cancel or reschedule. This allows us to offer your appointment to another patient. Please contact reception directly on (08) 8298 4166 to make changes – note that cancellations cannot be processed through email outside of business hours.

To make the most of your first visit, please bring:

• Any X-rays, ultrasound reports, or scans relating to your foot or lower limb.
• Any current or previous orthotics or footwear inserts.
• A GP referral or Chronic Disease Management Plan documentation (if applicable).
• Your DVA card, Medicare card, or private health insurance card.
• A list of any medications you currently take and any relevant medical history.
• The shoes you wear most often – they tell us a lot about how you walk.

Your first appointment is designed to identify the root cause of your concern – not just treat the symptoms. Your podiatrist will discuss your medical history, listen to your concerns, examine your feet and lower limbs, and where relevant assess your gait, joint range, footwear, circulation, and nerve function. We’ll explain what we find in clear language and outline the treatment options available to you. If treatment can begin during the same appointment, we’ll usually start straight away.

It’s completely understandable to feel anxious about a first appointment, especially if you’ve been putting your foot concern off for a while. Rest assured, our podiatrists are highly trained and experienced in making patients feel relaxed and comfortable throughout treatment. We take time to listen, explain everything as we go, and never proceed with anything you’re not comfortable with. If you’d like to discuss any specific concerns before booking, please call reception on (08) 8298 4166 and we’ll be happy to talk you through what to expect.

Wear comfortable clothing that allows easy access to your feet and lower legs. If we need to assess your gait or knees, loose-fitting trousers, shorts, or a skirt are ideal. Please also bring the footwear you wear most often, including any sports or work shoes relevant to your condition.

Yes – but only under specific circumstances. You can claim a Medicare rebate for podiatry consultations if:

• Your GP has prepared a Chronic Disease Management (CDM) Plan, previously known as the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care (EPC) Plan.
• You have a chronic medical condition (such as diabetes, arthritis, or other conditions that benefit from multidisciplinary care).
• Your GP has formally referred you to Brighton Road Podiatry under that plan.

Eligible patients receive a Medicare rebate on up to five allied health consultations per calendar year. Many of our patients with chronic conditions book regular appointments (often every 10 weeks) under their CDM plan to maintain good foot health. Please speak with your GP about eligibility.

For more information on Medicare-funded podiatry, see our Medicare page.

Yes. Brighton Road Podiatry accepts all major Australian private health funds. We are equipped with HICAPS, which allows us to process your health fund claim on the spot at the time of your appointment – you’ll only need to pay the gap. The rebate you receive depends on your fund, level of cover, and remaining annual limits. If you’d like an estimate of your rebate before your appointment, please contact your health fund directly or speak with our reception team.

Yes. Brighton Road Podiatry accepts DVA Gold and White Card holders. A current GP referral is required for DVA-funded podiatry care. Please bring your DVA card and referral to your first appointment.

Yes. We accept Return to Work SA and WorkCover claims for work-related foot, ankle, and lower limb injuries. Please bring your claim number and case manager’s details to your first appointment.

We accept EFTPOS, all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard), and cash. Payment is required at the time of your appointment.

Brighton Road Podiatry is located at 526a Brighton Road, Brighton SA 5048 – opposite Brighton Central Shopping Centre and Hungry Jack’s, and just a short walk from Jetty Road, the Esplanade and Brighton Beach. Free off-street parking is available at the rear of the building.

Yes. Our clinic is on the ground floor and is wheelchair accessible. There is a slight incline up to the entrance, and our reception and treatment rooms are step-free. If you have specific access requirements, please let reception know when booking and we’ll do everything we can to make your visit comfortable.

Brighton Road Podiatry is easily accessible by Adelaide Metro public transport:

• By bus – routes 262, 263, and 265 run along Brighton Road. The closest stops are Stop 25 and Stop 26 on Brighton Road, both within a 200-250 metre walk of the clinic.
• By train – Brighton Railway Station on the Seaford line is approximately 700 metres away (a 9-minute walk down Cedar Avenue).

For up-to-date timetables and journey planning, we recommend the Adelaide Metro “Plan My Journey” tool at adelaidemetro.com.au.

While we are based in Brighton, we welcome patients from across the Holdfast Bay area and greater Adelaide, including Glenelg, Marion, Hallett Cove, Hove, Dover Gardens, Seacombe Gardens, Seaview Downs, Seacliff Park, Oaklands Park, Kingston Park, Marino, and beyond. We also see patients who travel from the Fleurieu Peninsula, South East, Riverland, and northern South Australia, often to take advantage of our extended opening hours and 24-hour in-house orthotic turnaround.

Our team is led by Principal Podiatrist and owner Dolores Pilkington (B.Pod), supported by senior podiatrist Julie Tunbridge (Master of Health Science in Podiatry) and podiatrist Sonia Gopinath (Bachelor of Podiatry, Honours).

Dolores has more than 20 years of clinical experience, including significant time at major Adelaide tertiary hospitals and the University of South Australia. She has a particular interest in biomechanics, complex diabetic and orthopaedic care, sports podiatry, and the management of children with developmental concerns. Julie has practised podiatry since 1988 and brings deep expertise across the full breadth of podiatric care. Sonia is passionate about helping patients with sporting, biomechanical, skin, and nail conditions, including nail bracing for ingrown nails. You can read full biographies on the Meet our Team page.

Yes. All of our podiatrists are registered with the Podiatry Board of Australia (AHPRA) and are members of the Australian Podiatry Association (APodA). Brighton Road Podiatry is an APodA-accredited practice, and our team actively participates in the Continuing Professional Development program to ensure their knowledge and skills remain current.

Yes – and this is one of the things that sets Brighton Road Podiatry apart. We have our own in-house orthotic manufacturing equipment, which allows us to make custom orthotics on-site rather than sending the work interstate or overseas. We use 3D digital scanning to capture the precise contours of your feet, and our turnaround can be as quick as 24 hours when needed – particularly helpful for our country and interstate patients. Carbon fibre and polypropylene orthotics are manufactured in an Adelaide workshop, and we also offer in-house EVA orthotics and heat-mouldable options.

Our custom orthotics are extremely durable and will last between three and five years on average – and we’ve had them last considerably longer on some patients. A number of factors can influence their lifespan, including:

• Your level and type of activity.
• How well you care for your orthotics.
• Whether your biomechanics, body weight, or footwear change over time.

Custom orthotics will outlast cheap, over-the-counter insoles available from supermarkets and pharmacies – both because of the quality of the materials used, and because they’re made to fit your feet precisely, meaning they handle force and load more efficiently and wear more slowly. We recommend a periodic review with your podiatrist to check fit and function.

At Brighton Road Podiatry, we believe in being clear and transparent about the total cost of orthotic treatment upfront. Many podiatry clinics quote only the cost of the orthotic device itself, but there are usually additional costs involved in prescribing orthotics – including the initial consultation, biomechanical assessment, 3D scanning, dispensing and fitting, and follow-up review. We’ll walk you through the complete cost at your first appointment so there are no surprises.

We’re also happy to discuss potential rebates available through your private health fund, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket cost. For a personalised quote or to discuss your situation in more detail, please call us on (08) 8298 4166.

Yes – we welcome young patients from babies and toddlers through to teenagers. Foot development is most active in the first few years of life and again during puberty, and concerns can arise at any age. We commonly see:

• Babies and toddlers – curly toes, in-toeing or “pigeon toes”, W-sitting posture, frequent tripping, knock knees or bowed legs.
• Older children and teenagers – heel pain (often Sever’s disease), shin pain, knee pain, ingrown toenails, warts, sports-related injuries, Osgood-Schlatter’s, and uneven shoe wear.

Growing pains shouldn’t always be dismissed – a simple assessment can determine whether treatment is needed or whether the issue will resolve naturally. Our podiatrists are experienced in making children feel safe and at ease throughout their visit.

For more detail on our approach to young patients, see our Children’s Podiatry page.

Yes. Ingrown toenail surgery is performed in our clinic under local anaesthetic, with full post-operative follow-up. For nails that don’t yet require surgery, we also offer conservative treatments and nail bracing options such as Onyfix. If your situation is more complex, we have an established referral network of podiatric and orthopaedic surgeons.

Our podiatrists treat the full range of foot, ankle, and lower limb conditions, including:

• Heel pain and plantar fasciitis – including shockwave therapy for chronic cases.
• Bunions, corns, calluses, and cracked heels.
• Ingrown toenails, fungal nail infections, and warts.
• Sever’s disease, Osgood-Schlatter’s, and other children’s conditions.
• Shin pain, Achilles tendonitis, and other tendon disorders.
• Sports and running injuries.
• Diabetic foot care, vascular assessment, and complex wound and ulcer management.
• Biomechanical assessment and gait analysis.
• Arthritis-related foot and joint pain.
• General podiatry care – assessments, wound/ulcer care, manipulation, strapping/padding, podiatric devices and more.

For more detail on any specific service or condition, please see the relevant page on our website.

Yes – absolutely. Your feet are the foundation of your body, and how they function affects everything above them. Issues such as flat feet, poor foot posture, leg-length differences, or abnormal gait patterns can place uneven stress on your knees, hips, pelvis, and lower back. Many of our patients first come to us for foot pain and discover that addressing the underlying biomechanical issue, often with custom orthotics, also resolves pain elsewhere in the body.

Yes. As university-trained medical specialists, podiatrists are part of the broader allied health network and can refer you on to other providers when your condition requires it. Common outbound referrals from Brighton Road Podiatry include:

• X-ray and medical imaging providers – for diagnostic imaging of the foot, ankle, or lower limb.
• Ultrasound specialists – particularly for soft tissue and tendon assessments.
• Orthopaedic surgeons – for complex structural or surgical concerns beyond podiatric scope.
• Vascular specialists – for circulation concerns identified during assessment.
• Diabetes educators – to support patients managing diabetic foot health.
• Physiotherapists – when conditions extend above the knee or involve broader musculoskeletal issues.

Our podiatrists draw on an established referral network built over more than 20 years of practice, ensuring you’re directed to the right specialist for your needs.

It’s a good idea to see a podiatrist if you experience any of the following:

• Pain in your feet, ankles, shins, knees, or lower back that you suspect is related to your feet.
• Sharp heel pain – particularly with your first steps in the morning.
• Persistent corns, calluses, cracked heels, or skin issues that don’t improve.
• Ingrown, thickened, discoloured, or fungal toenails.
• A diagnosis of diabetes – annual diabetic foot health assessments are recommended.
• Concerns about your child’s walking, foot development, or sports performance.
• Recurrent sports or running injuries, blisters, or shin splints.
• A wound, ulcer, or cut on your foot that isn’t healing.

If you’re unsure whether your concern needs podiatric care, call reception on (08) 8298 4166 and we’ll happily advise you.

As a general guide, we recommend visiting your podiatrist every six months for a routine check-up, even if you’re not experiencing any current concerns – regular reviews help identify issues before they progress into more serious problems. You should book an appointment sooner if any new pain develops, particularly if it’s preventing you from walking, exercising, or going about your daily activities. Patients with diabetes, peripheral vascular disease, or other chronic conditions may benefit from more frequent reviews, and your podiatrist will recommend an appropriate interval based on your individual needs.