Fareham and Gosport diabetes group make recommendations to improve healthcare

POSITIVES steps have been made to help reduce the number of diabetes-related amputations in an area.

Fareham and Gosport Diabetes UK Group were asked to see what improvements could be made to healthcare in the area to help people with the condition.

And after carrying out a consultation and survey, recommendations made by the group have been accepted in principle by the Fareham and Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

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As previously reported in The News, Fareham and Gosport has one of the worst rates for diabetes-related amputations in the country.

Figures released last September showed there were 1.4 major amputations per 1,000 adults annually with diabetes. The national average is 0.8.

Raymond Hale, outgoing chairman of the Fareham and Gosport Diabetes UK Group, said: ‘We feel the CCG response is very encouraging and has made our hard work very worthwhile.

‘They responded to our report by saying that it was very useful. They also said that our recommendations are consistent with the work that is now being undertaken locally.

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‘In particular they agree with our recommendation about the need for more education and they are now actively discussing how they can reduce the variations between surgeries, and are providing further training for GPs and practice nurses.’

During the consultation process, the Fareham and Gosport Diabetes UK Group found that 34 per cent of patients had not received an education course when they were newly diagnosed while 58 per cent felt they were given little information on how to manage their diabetes.

It also showed that only 41 per cent were given their Foot Risk Score which looks at the risks of a patient developing diabetes-related problems in their feet which could lead to amputations.

Using the answers from the survey, a report with recommendation was sent to the CCG and some changes have already been introduced.

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Mr Hale added: ‘It has been very pleasing to find that several practices have already accepted our proposal for a written annual review report showing the Foot Risk Score.

‘Our new style of campaigning has produced some important results.

‘However, we recognise that we now need to make sure that the CCG are held to account and that local diabetes healthcare does definitely improve.’

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