How P.E.I.'s new podiatry regulations are changing footcare on the Island

There may be no greater sign that P.E.I. now has podiatry regulations in place than the actual sign on John Johnson's clinic door. 

It used to say Johnson Podiatry. It now says Johnson Footcare, and he is described as a "foot specialist."

The head of the Canadian Podiatric Medical Association is happy to see it.  

"That name is protected — podiatry, podiatrist, podiatric surgeon. So if someone is calling themselves a podiatrist, they need to go through the college to register," said Howard Green, the CPMA's president. 

The college he's talking about is the P.E.I. College of Physicians and Surgeons. Under P.E.I.'s new rules, which took effect Oct. 1, the college is now the regulator of podiatry. That means it is responsible for screening and registering anyone who wants to work as a podiatrist.

The key requirement, according to the regulations: "The successful completion of a post-secondary program in podiatry approved by the [college]."

Norman Kew, a semi-retired podiatrist who works five days a month on P.E.I., is relieved to see rules in place.

"I'm actually grateful in that it removes anyone who's unqualified for the position," he said. 

P.E.I. is among the last provinces to bring in podiatry regulations. 

The need for rules was highlighted in July, when a CBC News investigation revealed John Johnson was calling himself "Dr. John Johnson, DP" and treating hundreds of patients' foot problems, allegedly without even completing high school. 

Johnson has never responded to those allegations, or provided proof of any credentials. 

Concerns surrounding his practice led provincial health officials to take a closer look at all of the podiatrists working on the Island (there are only a few). That highlighted another problem: For years, some were doing medical procedures they weren't allowed to do in the province. 

Under P.E.I.'s Regulated Health Professions Act, activities like diagnosing disorders, injecting drugs and cutting into the skin are off-limits in health professions that aren't regulated. 

So Kew said that while he himself is more than qualified to do all those things, a lawyer for the P.E.I. government told him this summer he had to stop until regulations came into effect and he registered with the college.