People and carers of those with diabetes are being offered free foot care education by Leeds health care professionals.
The first session is being held on Saturday 12 May as part of NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Groups Partnership’s foot care campaign. The campaign aims to help people living with diabetes understand how to take care of their feet and what to watch out for to avoid serious health problems.
Diabetes can lead to poor circulation and loss of feeling in the feet, and, unfortunately, even minor injuries like blisters can develop into serious ulcers and ultimately amputations, causing suffering and poorer quality of life.
The condition is the single biggest cause of preventable amputations in the UK. However, with good diabetes management and foot care, the majority of these could be avoided.
Tom Dickie, Head of Podiatry at Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust, said: “We know that both patients with diabetes, their families and carers don’t always understand how important good foot care is to long term health, so it’s great that we’re able to offer these sessions to help anyone involved with diabetes to find out more. It’s an issue that affects many people in Leeds so we hope these sessions will be very popular.”
If you – or anyone you know – has diabetes and would like to know more about how to take care of your feet to help prevent future health issues, you can book one of three sessions.
The half-day events run from 10am to 1pm and include an interactive workshop, overview of local podiatry services, foot screening with a podiatrist, refreshments and lunch.
- Saturday 12 May – Mercure Parkway, Otley Road, Leeds, LS16 8AG (free parking). Book online at https://footcare-mercure.eventbrite.co.uk
- Saturday 9 June – SHINE, Harehills Rd, Leeds LS8 5HS (free parking
Book online at ***CANCELLED*** - Saturday 30 June – Thackray Medical Museum, 141 Beckett St, Leeds LS9 7LN (£4 parking but free entry to museum for delegates)
Book online at https://footcare-thackray.eventbrite.co.uk
Diabetes facts
- Approximately 55,000 people in Leeds have diabetes – more than 8% of the population
- The budget for diabetes care is around £140 million per annum
- 10% spent on foot care alone = £14 million
- It is estimated that 10% of people with diabetes will have a diabetic foot ulcer at some point in their lives.
- £1 in every £150 the NHS spends is on ulcers or amputations
- Diabetes is the most common cause of non‑traumatic limb amputation, with diabetic foot ulcers preceding more than 80% of amputations in people with diabetes.
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Issued by the communications team at NHS Leeds CCGs Partnership. You can contact the team on 0113 84 35528 or 0113 84 35470. Alternatively please email us: [email protected]