A NORTH-EAST hospital trust has introduced a new multidisciplinary foot team to reduce the number of people with diabetes who have amputations.

The new specialist team at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust was developed in response to the high numbers of foot amputations, caused by diabetic ulcers.

The team is made up of consultants, specialist nurses, podiatrists, orthotists as well as surgeons.

Diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing the UK, with 4.6m people expected to have the disease by 2030.

One of the complications associated with diabetes is foot problems, including infections, ulcers and gangrene, which, if left untreated, can lead to toes or feet being amputated.

In County Durham and Darlington there were 171 major amputations performed in the last three years - a significantly higher rate than the England average.

Dr Paul Peter, lead consultant for diabetes, said: "We know that 80 per cent of all amputations are preventable - they're preceded by a foot ulcer which, if seen early enough, can be treated.

"The decision to amputate is never taken lightly. These are major operations which have a huge impact on a patient's life and are costly to the NHS," he added.

Since the foot team was introduced, there are now weekly clinics at Bishop Auckland General Hospital and Darlington Memorial Hospital, as well as twice monthly clinics at the University Hospital of North Durham, as well as rapid response service.

One patient who has benefitted is Paul Surman, 51, from Darlington.

Mr Surman started losing sensation in his feet, a common condition called peripheral neuropathy and in addition developed a condition which causes an abnormality in the bone structure of his feet.

After developing a serious ulcer on his foot he was rushed to Darlington Memorial Hospital and told they might have to amputate it.

He said: "I asked them to try to save it, and they did.

"I was in hospital for about a month. Every day someone from the team came to see me, to disinfect and re-dress it. They were absolutely marvellous - the care I got was fantastic. It's taken a long time for it to heal, but it's getting there."

Diabetes UK Northern and Yorkshire manager, Linda Wood, said: "Having a multi-disciplinary team in place has a huge impact on reducing amputation rates. We recommend that every hospital has a team providing this rapid access care and treatment."