The Department of Health and Social Care’s Community Podiatry Service is grateful for the continued financial support from a local charity, the Friends of the Manx Diabetic, which has enabled the production of an updated information pack on foot care for diabetics.
 
The information packs are given to newly diagnosed diabetic patients when they are assessed by the Podiatrist.  The pack focuses on advice relating to foot care, foot wear, first aid for feet and includes holiday foot care advice as well as foot and leg exercises.  The Podiatry Service emergency access details and useful phone numbers are provided.
 
Julie Maddrell, Clinical Lead Podiatrist for Diabetes, said: “The Podiatry Service provides assessment, diagnosis and treatment of foot and lower limb disorders.  These services are delivered in hospitals, at the Diabetes Centre on the Noble’s Hospital site, in residential and nursing homes and in clients’ own homes.  Having these information packs for diabetic patients helps promote consistent information and advice on how to look after their feet.  We are very grateful to the Friends of the Manx Diabetic for their continued support in the production of the packs.
 
“The Podiatry Service provides annual foot screening for patients with diabetes to identify those who may be more at risk of diabetic foot related complications.  Poor circulation and loss of feeling in the patient’s feet can lead to injury, increased risk of infection with a reduced ability to heal quickly.”
 
It is estimated that people with diabetes are 30-times more likely to require an amputation compared to the general public, according to figures recorded by Diabetes UK.  Up to 80% of diabetes-related amputations in England could be preventable, through providing information to people with diabetes on how to look after their feet and the benefits of regular screening, and about how to access their local Podiatry Service.