Shropshire diabetes crisis: Hundreds have limb amputations
Hundreds of diabetics in Shropshire have undergone "devastating" foot, toe and limb amputations in the last three years, new figures reveal.
The number of people having diabetes-linked amputations in the NHS Shropshire Clinical Commissioning Group area has increased by 63 per cent since 2014.
The new figures, from data published by Public Health England, revealed there had been 128 amputations due to diabetes between 2011/12 and 2013/14, but 208 by the end of the 2014/15 to 2016/17 period.
In Telford the figures have also shot up, rising by 31 per cent, up from 104 in between 2011/12 and 2013/14 to 136 by the end of 2014/15 and 2016/17 period.
Across England, amputations increased by 14 per cent over the same period, rising to almost 26,400 – the equivalent of 170 every week.
Diabetes UK said that about 80 per cent of amputations could be prevented if diabetics got more support.
They said "urgent action" is needed to stop an "epidemic" of diabetes.
Dan Howarth, head of care for Diabetes UK, said: "The latest figures show that, unfortunately, there’s still a great deal of work to be done to tackle rising number of diabetes-related amputations across England.
Varies
"Amputations devastate lives. It’s so important that everyone with the condition has access to diabetes foot services, and the support of podiatrists and foot care protection teams.
"Access remains an issue, however, and the quality and availability of services still varies significantly across England.
"That’s why we want to see greater commitment from Government to improving diabetes foot services, ensuring routine, high-quality care to those who need it, regardless of where they live.”
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “Prevention is better than cure, which is why we are delivering an ambitious plan to tackle obesity in children, including getting children exercising more in schools and reducing their exposure to sugary and fatty foods.
“We’ve invested billions in public health services and NHS England’s Diabetes Prevention Programme is available across the country for adults at risk of developing diabetes.”
Nearly 10 per cent of people living across Telford and Shropshire have been diagnosed with diabetes or are living with it without knowing, Public Health England said.
That would be an estimated 29,400 living with it in Shropshire and 14,500 in Telford.
They added that both the survival rate and the quality of life for diabetics who have undergone major amputations are often poor.
