Diabetes foot care report shows £650m cost of ulcers and amputations

A new report published by NHS Diabetes sets out the shocking cost to both patients and the NHS of poor quality diabetic foot care.

The report shows that around £650 million is spent on foot ulcers or amputations each year. It also highlights the devastating consequences of foot problems in people with diabetes. Around 7% of people with diabetes currently have, or have had, a foot ulcer, which can lead to amputation.

NHS Diabetes is calling on the NHS to set up specialist diabetes foot care teams as a matter of urgency. Foot care multi disciplinary teams (MDTs) can generate savings for the NHS that substantially outweigh the cost of the team.