Diabetes UK and the Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust have come together to provide foot care training for people with diabetes in the local area.
The event on Tuesday 14 February is part of Diabetes UK'sPutting Feet First campaignand is aimed at helping people living with diabetes to gain information on how to take care of their feet and what signs to be aware of in the event of complications and has been funded by the Sheffield Diabetes UK Group.
Diabetes is the single biggest cause of preventable amputations in the UK. The number of diabetes-related amputations a week in England has now reached an all-time record high of 135 and yet with good diabetes management and foot care, up to 80 per cent of these amputations can be avoided.
Andy Broomhead, 35, Chair of theSheffield Diabetes UK Groupsaid: “We’re really pleased to be bringing this event to Sheffield. We know that effect that foot problems can have on people with diabetes, and this is a great opportunity to help people in our local community find out more about good foot care. It’s an issue we know affects a great many people in Sheffield and we hope this event will prove very popular.”
Stephen Ryan, Head of the North at Diabetes UK said: “This event is aimed at people who at present do not have to see a podiatrist, in the hope that we can give people the tools to help take care of their feet, to understand the complications that can arise from poor foot care and to help prevent diabetes-related amputations.”
There are currently an estimated 88 amputations each year in the Sheffield area.
Event information
The half-day event at Mercure Hotel on Norfolk St in Sheffield City centre will run from 1.30-4.30pm andl includes an interactive workshop as well as an overview of local podiatry services and information on why it is important to look after your feet if you have diabetes. Download the afternoon'sEvent programme - Putting Feet First, Mercure Hotel (Word, 49KB)
If you’d like to attend please contact Paula Maddison-Green at Diabetes UK on 01325 488606 or emailpaula.maddison-green@diabetes.org.uk
For further media information, please contact Carmel Ganner on 01925 644573carmel.ganner@diabetes.org.ukor the Diabetes UK Media Relations Team on 020 7424 1165 or emailpressteam@diabetes.org.uk
