_{11 June 2012}

50% fewer amputations by 2018 - National Footcare Network sets key objective at launch meeting

A 50 per cent reduction in the number of diabetes-related amputations in five years. This was the key challenge set out by the national Footcare Network at its inaugural meeting in London on Friday 20 April.

Well attended and with representation from all 10 regional footcare networks, the meeting also made excellent progress in agreeing further objectives and outcomes for the coming year.

Network members unanimously agreed that they are responsible for encouraging far greater numbers of providers to sign up to the 'Putting Feet First' integrated pathway and that this pathway must be included in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment on the new Health and Wellbeing Board.

National Clinical Director for Diabetes, Dr Rowan Hillson and our Network Clinical Lead Dr Gerry Rayman both gave presentations at the meeting.  You can download a copy of their presentations below.

• Dr Rowan Hillson (PDF 3.9MB)
  
• Dr Gerry Rayman (PDF 6.8MB)

The network will also work to improve healthcare professional competencies in primary care and,  through improved education, ensure patients better understand their heightened risk of developing foot and lower limb problems.

Meeting outcomes: 

Key challenge

National reduction in amputations by 50% in five years

Overall objective

To see diabetic foot care pathway included in the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment on the Health and Wellbeing Board

Outcomes to be delivered in 2012-13:

1.       Establish local and regional foot care networks

2.       All organisations sign up to one pathway (Putting Feet First Integrated pathway)

3.       Active whole pathway MDT/FPT group is established in each district to include commissioners and service users

4.       Challenge culture and behaviour of HCPs in primary care

• Ensure competencies in diabetes ulcer awareness
  
• Ensure education is provided to patients at diagnosis
  
• Every patient knows their risk status
  

5.       Engage commissioners in the network

• Promote CIP (Cost Improvement Plan) potential from foot care to commissioners
  
• Commissioners commission full pathway service specification to include FPT/MDT competencies, participation of NDA and DiabetesE and ulcer audit
  

6.       24/7 facility for receiving diabetic foot care patients by a competent representative of the MDT team and seen within 24 hours by the foot care specialist team.

• Facility to have phone number
  
• How this happens is a local decision (e.g. A&E)
  

7.       Staff competencies required to deliver the agreed pathway and ensure prevention and early detection and referral

• Competencies commissioned
  

8.       Map a directory of foot care services across England

• Use DiabetesE structural audit to map current services in England
  

9.       Foot care audits become mandatory for clinically commissioned services

• include DiabetesE, NDA and Ulcer Audit
  

10.   Root cause analysis undertaken for major and minor amputations

• Identify potential for improvement in prevention by identifying blocks and gaps in the service.
  
• Outcome of RCA to influence QoF 
  

See here for more details and to join our footcare network.