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Saturday, 23 April 2005 09:43

BNN: British Nursing News Online · www.bnn-online.co.uk

Diabetics suffer needless foot amputations

Doctors have claimed that about 13,500 diabetics suffer needless foot amputations after developing ulcers.

They claim that a new treatment - VAC therapy - which makes surgery unnecessary is being blocked by NHS bosses.

The VAC system, when placed directly on the wound, can kill 99 per cent of bacteria.
It can be used in the community and is favoured by many GPs but most primary care trusts have not allocated any money from their budgets for the treatment.

Outraged charity Diabetes UK urged the NHS to review its approach to treating diabetics.
The charity said: "The fact that some people are needlessly losing limbs because they are not being offered access to the best treatment is totally unacceptable”.

Dr Michael Edmonds, consultant diabetologist at King's College Hospital in London, also called for action.

He said: "Local health services must prioritise diabetes now. A failure to do so will put many more people at risk.

"It is essential that people with diabetes receive early, effective treatment of ulcers. Around 90,000 people with diabetes develop foot ulcers each year.

"Tragically approximately 15 per cent of foot ulcers will result in amputation”.
The World Health Organisation is also desperately trying to prevent so many amputations.

It has declared 2005 The Year of the Foot and the campaign slogan is "Put feet first, prevent amputations".

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