Improving Diabetic Foot Care: A Guide for Commissioners
What is a Foot Protection Service?
People who are at moderate or high risk of developing a diabetic foot problem should be referred to the Foot Protection Service.
Foot Protection Services are often provided in the community. They should be led by a podiatrist with specialist training in diabetic foot problems, and should have access to healthcare professionals with skills in the following areas:
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Diabetology
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Biomechanics and orthoses
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Wound care.
Make Change Happen
Six Vital Steps
It is essential that GPs know how to access the Foot Protection Service and the Multidisciplinary Foot Care Service (MDFS), that these two services have close links, and that patients can be referred and seen rapidly when necessary.
Dr. Wing May Kong, consultant diabetologist at London NW Healthcare NHS Trust, believes that the foot protection service plays a vital role in preventing amputations in her area.