The number of diabetes-related amputations in England has reached an all-time high of 20 a day, according to new figures released by Diabetes UK.
The figures, based on data from Public Health England, show that the annual number of diabetes-related amputations in the country is now 7,370 a year, compared to the previous figure of 7,042.
The finding has prompted renewed calls for improved foot care; experts estimate that four out of five amputations can be prevented as 80 percent begin as foot ulcers which are largely avoidable and treatable it detected early.
On the plus side, the major amputation rate (amputations above the ankle) has dipped slightly since Diabetes UK launched the Putting Feet First campaign in 2012, but the charity said it is alarmed that the variation rates between the best and the worst performing areas of the country continue to widen.
Those areas more successful in tackling diabetes-related amputation continue to lower their rates, whereas the rate for the worst performing has not dropped in the last year, it said, and called for “targeted action” to help address this variation.
“The fact that the total number of amputations is continuing to rise is a huge concern. We know the devastating impact they have on people’s lives as well as the huge cost to the NHS, yet we are not seeing action happening quickly enough across all areas of the country to address this,” said Chris Askew, the charity’s chief executive.
“We have seen some areas making real efforts to improve the poor state of diabetes footcare, but these figures are a stark reminder that there is still so much more to be done, especially with regard to significant variation from GP practices and between different health areas. It’s a travesty that good quality foot care is a postcode lottery. People need to be getting the right care in the right place at the right time now.”
