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Slow care could lead to foot amputations

Monday 25th February 2013
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Around 80 per cent of amputations in diabetes patients could be avoided, a leading charity has claimed.

Diabetes UK claims the number of foot amputations from slow treatment currently stands at 6,000 a year, but could rise to 7,000 by 2015.

When either Type 1 or Type 2 are present in the body for many years and not kept under control there is a very real risk of complications such as reduced blood-flow to the vessels in the feet, which could in turn hamper sensation.

This could increase the risk of problems such as ulcers and infection, and can eventually lead to amputation.

According to a report published by the Society for Chiropodists and Podiatrists, as well as NHS Diabetes, and Diabetes UK, patients are more than 20 times more likely to need an amputation than the rest of the population.

The report also recommends that every hospital has a specialised podiatrist team.

Current figures suggest that up to 40 per cent of hospitals do not have such teams in place.

It also added that the each hospital should be able to guarantee that that people with urgent foot problems should be able to receive treatment from the necessary professionals within 24 hours.

Other recommendations included every area in the UK having a system for identifying and reviewing people considered at a high risk of foot ulcers and infections, as well as offering annual foot checks.

Chief executive of Diabetes UK, Barbara Young said: "This is not something that requires more money.

"In fact, putting these kinds of systems in place can actually save money because the amputations that they prevent are so expensive."

Matthew Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for the College of Podiatry told the BBC that he strongly welcomed the advice put forward from Diabetes UK.

He added that the most important aspect was to ensure that patients were aware on how to check themselves, and know when to seek appropriate advice.

He said: "If they're worried then their local podiatrist should be the first port of call."

Written by Mathew Horton

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