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Amputation postcode lottery getting worse

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Northerner

Northerner

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Type 1
The postcode lottery of diabetes-related amputations in England is getting worse, according to new figures released today by Diabetes UK.

The new figures, based on NHS data, show that the overall diabetes-related amputation rate has not improved at all, with 2.6 per thousand people with diabetes per year having a lower limb amputation. And what is more unacceptable is that the gap between the worst and best performing areas has got bigger.

This means people with diabetes in the worst performing area (Fareham and Gosport) are now seven times more likely to have an amputation than people in the best performing area (Brent in London). The previous year, the rate in the worst-performing area was 5.4 times higher than in the best-performing area.

http://www.diabetes.org.uk/About_us/News/Amputation-postcode-lottery-getting-worse/

Disgraceful :(
 
Amputation postcode lottery

Lying in bed this morning mainly listening on 5 live about Manchester United Etc then on came the Amputation Postcode Lottery piece, this poor man came on about having his leg amputated due to having a cut fester,he stated if you get a cut on your feet get to the health professionals within 1/2 hour !!!if you are diabetic a cut will not be sore or be evident of feeling so you are in trouble big time.
l visited the chiropodist twice and the lady says there is no need to come to the chiropodist everytime to have your nails cut and feet checked but every so often,as l type this reply l feel confused,alarmed and feeling low as the diabetes complications drag me down again how does other people feel when they hear these articles.
 
My Mum lives in Fareham!! 😱

Fortunately she has visited a chiropodist regularly for most of her life anyway (voluntarily, but they take extra interest in her having D). So whilst she is having eye problems due to D, I think her limbs are fine!

She's always been quite happy with her D check ups too 🙂
 
Do not become overly concerned David. As long as you are getting an annual check from a podiatrist and self-check yourself daily then you will be able to spot anything of concern. The main problems are for people with peripheral neuropathy - they are the people who will not feel a cut or sore. As long as your podiatrist is happy that you have good sensation and pulses, then you will most certainly feel it if you step on a drawing pin or something!

The other thing to bear in mind is your general blood sugar control. If this is good then you should be able to heal from any problems in a similar time frame to a non-diabetic person.

The chief reason for the scandal of amputations is that some medical staff are not treating problems properly when they do occur, leading to things getting worse when they could have been avoided.

Try not to worry about the 'extremes' of diabetes. Although amputations may appear high, it is still only 2.6 people per thousand, and these will be people at a much higher risk than people such as yourself, being vigilant and aware.
 
I am really worried about my feet lately. I can feel nothing at all and have had the odd blister which I have not noticed with not being able to see feet either. I once walked around with a drawing pin in the bottom of my foot and had no idea. I go to podiatrist every 6 weeks but this last time two of my nails were really black with bruising and she said I must have banged my toes quite badly. The thing is I cannot even recall hurting them and didnt even notice untill they went black and blue. I keep thinking my feet might be hurting in a different way to the normal neuropathy pain, but I am not really sure. I was wondering if I should see a DSN or trust the podiatrist and wait for another 6 weeks to see how it goes. She thinks I may well lose 2 nails, I am quite concerned. She also said I may be wearing the wrong size shoes, but I have been into shoe shops and no one will measure my feet for me, they only measure childrens feet. So I am wearing size 5's,5.5's and 6's and I have no idea if they fit me or are even uncomfortable, I dont even feel that I have shoes on let alone if they fit !
 
Northener-thanks mate l take it that you do not get alarmed by the headlines thanks again for replying really appreciated.
 
Headlines are there to sell newspapers (or raise funding) and don't always accurately define the issue.

My understanding is that cuts on the feet (or anywhere) are more critical if you have higher blood sugars as they can cause your injuries to heal slower and more likely to fester. So part of the answer is to try get your blood sugars as good as you can.
 
Tin Tin you need to be referred IMMEDIATELY to the Specialist Footcare Team at your hospital - you should be already seeing them in fact. Get to the docs and get a referral !
 
how often feet checked?

:confused:Should we all see a podiatrist, how often? or is it just ok to see your diabetic nurse once a year?
 
Pinktoes said:
:confused:Should we all see a podiatrist, how often? or is it just ok to see your diabetic nurse once a year?
Click to expand...

I would say it depends on how thorough the nurse is, if it's just a cursory 'once-over' without pulse and sensitivity tests then I would want to be seen by a podiatrist. NICE guidelines are that you should get your feet checked at least once a year. 🙂 A lot of people aren't even getting that check, and in some areas you have to pay to see a podiatrist (postcode lottery again :()
 
My foot checks are pretty thorough, done by a nurse at the surgery. I'd have to pay to see a podiatrist though.
 
what is thorough

they look at them, feel the pulses, and tickle me with a little piece of plastic, well, prod and ask if I can feel it....is this good enough, what is the standard procedure, can anyone tell us?🙄
 
Pinktoes said:
they look at them, feel the pulses, and tickle me with a little piece of plastic, well, prod and ask if I can feel it....is this good enough, what is the standard procedure, can anyone tell us?🙄
Click to expand...

That sounds about right to me 🙂
 
Pinktoes said:
they look at them, feel the pulses, and tickle me with a little piece of plastic, well, prod and ask if I can feel it....is this good enough, what is the standard procedure, can anyone tell us?🙄
Click to expand...

That's what happens with me, she usually has a look at the toenails and any hard skin on my feet as well.
 
Charliewatch I get alarmed and scared of all the complications too! But try not to. I live in the Fareham Portsmouth area too. Ive never had my feet checked once yet! I was diagnosed 3 years ago!
 
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