
Improving Diabetic Foot Care: A Guide for Commissioners

Service transformation in Sheffield
Sheffield received transformation funding of £112,000 in 2017-18 and £185,000 in 2018-19 to improve diabetic foot care. Before the transformation funding there was insufficient capacity in the foot protection service, leading to excess demand for the MDFT, late referrals and delays to healing.
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The transformation funding was used to add 3.4 WTE podiatrists to the foot care service, plus administrative support and equipment.

Reported impacts include:
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more frequent review of at-risk patients
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more podiatry care for inpatients with diabetes
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educational outreach to primary care.
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The service reports a reduction in the proportion of ulcers that are severe when first seen by the MDFS, and that this has led to faster healing and cost savings.
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Rajiv Gandhi is a consultant diabetologist at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals.