The way diabetes foot screening services and ongoing foot care for people living with diabetes in Scotland has recently changed.
Diabetes foot screening is a vital part of diabetes care and is used to identify the risk that an individual living with diabetes has of developing a foot ulcer, which could lead to an amputation. Checking your feet for any signs or symptoms of an ulcer is vital to maintaining a good quality of life.
Across the UK, diabetes leads to 169 amputations a week - 24 amputations a day and one amputation every hour. Foot checks can prevent this from happening. Current practice is that foot screening is undertaken annually by any Health Care Professional (HCP)/worker with suitable training.
How often someone with diabetes will receive a foot screening in Scotland from now on will depend on the result of their previous screening, using a traffic-light system.
If you have any questions or concerns then please get in touch with your local GP or your podiatry dept. They'll be able to help you with any further information regarding these changes and will be able to explain anything further if you're still unsure.
If you’re worried or not sure what this change might mean for you, as well as your GP, you can also always contact our Helpline on 0345 123 2399, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm to chat through these changes with our team. They’re here to help.
