Legal Experts Call For Action After Data Shows ‘135 Amputations Happen Every Week’

Specialist medical negligence lawyers have backed calls from charity Diabetes UK for an urgent review of the care available to diabetes patients and warned that the record rate of amputations being carried out highlights significant concerns regarding treatment.

According to the charity, figures calculated using Public Health England data have shown that 135 amputations are now carried every week out as a result of diabetes.

It is thought 80 per cent of the amputations could be avoided if diabetes patients, who are 15 times more likely to have a limb amputated, received necessary care including good quality annual foot checks.

Diabetes UK is now urging the Government to ensure that care standards are improved and the call has been welcomed by Irwin Mitchell’s Medical Negligence team, which represents patients who have suffered illness and injury as a result of problems in diabetes care.

Expert Opinion

“Diabetes patients require a high standard of care and support, but these new figures raise major concerns regarding the level of treatment currently available. <br/> <br/>“Foot care is a key part of high quality diabetes treatment, with regular assessments being vital. A lack of appropriate care can lead to problems including damage to large blood vessels, which then develops into poor circulation, foot ulcers and then ultimately amputation. <br/> <br/>“However, it must be remembered that the risk of amputation is one of a number of concerns that patients can face, as we have seen how complications in care can also lead to further consequences such as blindness, amputation, kidney failure, stroke or even death. <br/> <br/>“With all of this in mind, it is absolutely vital that the Government, the NHS and other healthcare providers ensure that patient safety comes first and quality care is provided to those with diabetes. Everything possible must be done to drive done this worrying figure.” Sarah Rowland - Partner