Everything You Need to Know
What to Expect at Your First Appointment
Taking the first step towards seeking specialist help for a foot or ankle problem can feel daunting, particularly if you have been managing symptoms for some time without a clear answer. This page explains exactly what to expect when you come to see me — from how to book your appointment through to what happens on the day and what might follow.
My aim at every consultation is to leave you feeling clearly informed about what is causing your symptoms, what your options are, and what the next steps will be — without any pressure to make decisions before you are ready.
Patients are required to complete a confidential medical questionnaire prior to seeing Professor Flanagan as a new patient, this can be completed Here.
NHS
NHS patients are seen by referral from their GP. If you feel your foot or ankle problem warrants specialist assessment, please speak with your GP and ask for a referral to my NHS clinic. Referrals are processed through the NHS e-Referral Service.
Your GP may wish to arrange initial investigations such as X-rays before making the referral, though this is not always necessary — I am able to arrange imaging at the point of consultation if required.
Self Pay
If you are paying privately, you are welcome to contact my practice directly to arrange a consultation — no GP referral is required. Self-referral means you can usually be seen promptly, with faster access to investigations and follow-up than may be possible through NHS pathways.
Please get in touch via the contact details on this website and my team will arrange a convenient appointment at one of my clinic locations.
Using Medical Insurance
If you intend to use private medical insurance to fund your care, it is important that you contact your insurer before booking your appointment. Most insurers require pre-authorisation before a consultation can be covered, and attending without this in place may mean that costs are not reimbursed.
Your insurer will ask for my name and specialist registration details, which my practice team can provide on request. Once you have received your authorisation number, please have this ready when booking your appointment.
Our First Consultation
Your first appointment is the foundation of everything that follows. It is an opportunity for me to understand your problem thoroughly, for you to ask questions freely, and for us together to begin forming a plan. Consultation times will vary depending on the complexity of your condition but often last around 30 minutes. You should allow for further time if investigations such as X-rays etc are required.
1. History & discussion
I will begin by listening carefully to you — when your symptoms started, how they have developed, what makes them better or worse, and how they are affecting your day-to-day life. I will ask about any previous treatment you have received, your general health and any relevant medical history, your occupation and activity level, and your footwear habits. There are no wrong answers and no detail is too small. Please feel free to bring any letters, reports, or previous imaging you have from other clinicians.
2. Examination
I will examine your foot and ankle in detail — both at rest and whilst you are standing and walking. I will assess the alignment, range of movement, areas of tenderness, and gait pattern. You will be asked to remove your shoes and socks for this, so please wear clothing that gives easy access to your lower legs and feet. If you have orthotic insoles, it is helpful to bring these along with the shoes you wear them in.
3. Imaging & investigations
In the majority of consultations, imaging will be required to confirm the diagnosis, assess severity, and plan treatment. Weight-bearing X-rays — taken whilst you are standing, to show the true alignment of your foot under load — are the most commonly performed investigation and can often be arranged on the same day as your consultation. Depending on your condition, further investigations may also be requested.
4. Discussion of findings & plan
Once I have examined you and reviewed any available imaging, I will explain what I have found in plain language and discuss the likely diagnosis. Where imaging has been requested and is not yet available, a follow-up appointment will be arranged to review the results and formulate a full plan. I will outline the treatment options available to you — conservative and surgical — with an honest assessment of the likely benefits, risks, and realistic outcomes of each. I will not rush this conversation, and you should feel free to ask as many questions as you need.
5. No pressure to decide
If surgery or a procedure is recommended, you will be given time to consider the information, discuss it with family or friends, and come back with any further questions before committing to anything. A follow-up appointment or correspondence by letter summarising the consultation and my recommendations can be arranged if helpful.
After Your Consultation
Following your consultation you will receive a clinic letter summarising the findings, diagnosis, and agreed management plan. A copy of this letter will be sent to your GP if you are an NHS patient or have a GP who has been involved in your care, and a copy will be provided for your own records. If further investigations have been arranged, a follow-up appointment will be scheduled to review these results and confirm the treatment pathway.
If a procedure or injection has been performed at the consultation, you will be given written aftercare instructions before you leave, along with clear guidance on what to expect and when to seek further advice.
