Our story, your care
Discover the story behind SMarTEN Up Podiatry, the values that shape our practice,
and why personalised care is at the heart of everything we do.
Our shared vision for exceptional foot care
We created SMarTEN Up Podiatry with one shared vision: to build the kind of clinic we'd want our own family and friends to visit.
After many years working across the NHS, private practice, education and specialist podiatry services, we recognised that outstanding foot care is about much more than treating a condition. It starts with listening, understanding what matters to each person, and providing care that is evidence-based, compassionate and tailored to the individual.
What makes SMarTEN Up different is the combination of extensive clinical experience and a genuine commitment to helping people stay active, independent and able to do the things they love. Every patient is treated as an individual, never just another appointment, and every treatment plan is designed around their lifestyle, goals and long-term foot health.
At SMarTEN Up Podiatry, you'll find expert care delivered in a friendly, welcoming environment where patients feel listened to, respected and supported from the moment they walk through the door. Because we believe smarter care starts with putting people first.
What makes SMarTEN Up Podiatry different?
Between them, Susan and Tracey bring decades of clinical experience gained across the NHS, private practice, specialist services and higher education.
Our combined expertise spans all aspects of podiatry, from routine foot care and diabetic foot health to musculoskeletal conditions, biomechanics, nail surgery and complex clinical assessment. This breadth of knowledge allows them to provide high-quality, evidence-based care for patients of all ages and activity levels.
While each brings their own specialist interests and experience, they share the same philosophy: to provide compassionate, personalised care that focuses on the individual, not just the condition. They are passionate about helping people stay active, maintain their independence and enjoy life without foot pain holding them back.
As lifelong learners and educators, Susan and Tracey are committed to continually developing their knowledge and skills, ensuring patients benefit from the latest evidence, modern techniques and best practice. Just as importantly, they believe in empowering patients with the understanding and confidence to take an active role in their own foot health.
Together, they have created SMarTEN Up Podiatry as a place where clinical excellence meets genuine care—providing expert treatment in a welcoming environment where every patient feels listened to, valued and supported.
Putting you at the heart of your care
From the moment you walk through our door, our aim is to make you feel welcomed, listened to and at ease.
We understand that visiting a healthcare professional can sometimes feel daunting, particularly if you're in pain or have been struggling with a problem for some time. That's why we take the time to get to know you, understand your concerns and explain everything clearly, so you always feel informed and involved in your care.
Appointments are never rushed. We believe the best outcomes come from building trust, answering your questions and creating treatment plans that are tailored to your individual needs, lifestyle and goals. Whether you're visiting us for routine foot care or a more complex condition, you'll receive the same high standard of professional, compassionate care.
At SMarTEN Up Podiatry, we want every patient to leave feeling not only more comfortable on their feet, but also reassured, confident and supported in looking after their foot health for the future.
"Exceptional podiatry isn't just about treating feet. It's about listening, understanding what matters to you, and helping you stay active, comfortable and confident."
The Smarten Up Podiatry Team
S. McDonaugh - SMarTEN Up
Susan graduated from the University of Huddersfield in 1996 and has built a broad and varied career across both clinical practice and podiatric education.
Following registration, she spent seven years working for Redbridge and Waltham Forest NHS Trust before relocating to the North East in 2003. She then joined North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, where she worked as a Specialist Podiatrist within Podiatric Surgery.
Alongside her clinical role, Susan also worked part-time as a lecturer at the Durham School of Podiatric Medicine between 2003 and 2007, supporting the development of future podiatrists through both academic teaching and the sharing of her clinical expertise.
Her postgraduate training and professional development include:
- City & Guilds teaching qualification
- Podiatric acupuncture
- MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice
- Faulkner’s needling, including mentorship
- Steroid injection training, including mentorship
- Cadaveric ultrasound-guided injection training
In June 2024, Susan returned to the Durham School of Podiatric Medicine in a part-time lecturing role, bringing with her extensive clinical experience and specialist knowledge to further strengthen the teaching team.
Susan continues to combine clinical practice with education, ensuring her patients benefit from both extensive experience and the latest evidence-based approaches to podiatric care.
T. E. Nicholson - SMarTEN Up
Tracey graduated from the Durham School of Podiatric Medicine in 2013. During her studies, she represented Durham within the Royal College of Podiatry’s Students’ Association. Recognising a gap in the support available to newly qualified podiatrists, she subsequently helped to establish a graduate support network alongside several colleagues and remained an active member of its committee until 2019.
While awaiting her HCPC registration, Tracey had the valuable opportunity to observe clinical practice within the podiatry department at Singapore General Hospital, gaining an early insight into podiatric care within an international healthcare setting.
Following registration, Tracey worked primarily for North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, progressing through a broad range of clinical roles. She began her career within the core podiatry service as a Band 5 Podiatrist before securing a part-time position within the Podiatric Surgery team in 2016. In 2019, she further expanded her clinical experience by undertaking an additional preceptorship role within the musculoskeletal team. In 2021, she consolidated the knowledge and experience gained across these roles within a full-time Specialist Podiatrist position in biomechanics within the core podiatry service.
Alongside her NHS career, Tracey has gained extensive experience within private practice, both independently and as an associate within a multidisciplinary clinic. She also worked as a clinical bank podiatrist within the Durham School of Podiatric Medicine.
Her postgraduate education and professional development include:
- Clinical Educator Programme
- Podiatric acupuncture
- TUC Level 1 NOCN Health and Safety Representative qualification
- Faulkner’s needling, including clinical mentorship
- Steroid injection training, including clinical mentorship
- Cadaveric dissection training
- Musculoskeletal preceptorship
- Royal College of Podiatry Specialist Practice in Musculoskeletal Podiatry module
In 2022, Tracey joined the Durham School of Podiatric Medicine as a full-time lecturer, bringing her broad clinical knowledge and experience into podiatric education. During her time within the lecturing team, she continued to develop her academic and clinical practice, becoming a STEM Ambassador, qualifying as a Non-Medical Independent Prescriber and achieving an MSc in Advanced Clinical Practice.
Tracey was nominated for the Flexitol Podiatry Educator of the Year Award in both 2023 and 2024. She was delighted to be shortlisted and subsequently named the award winner in 2024.
Her academic responsibilities included leading modules in Foundations of Practice, Neurological Diversity and Applied Podiatric Biomechanics. She also led Prescription Only Medicines—Administration and Prescription Only Medicines—Sale and Supply, reflecting the continued development of her expertise in medicines management and podiatric education. Alongside these responsibilities, she held the role of Level 4 Coordinator.
Tracey also established and hosted the New College Durham Podiatry Journal Club, which was nominated, shortlisted and named a Flexitol Award winner in 2024.
In further recognition of her contribution to the profession, Tracey received a nomination for the Flexitol Inspirational Podiatrist Award in 2025.
Today, Tracey combines her extensive clinical, educational and prescribing experience to provide thoughtful, evidence-based care, helping patients understand their condition as well as their treatment options.