THE number of people having to face lower limb amputation as a result of diabetes has increased across the North-East and North Yorkshire, figures released today reveal.

Figures obtained by awareness and prevention charity, Diabetes UK revealed there had been a "significant rise" in minor low limb amputation stemming from the disease.

Diabetes, a lifelong condition that causes a person's blood sugar levels to become too high, is described as the "fastest growing" health crisis in the country.

Research led by Diabetes UK found that between 2015 and 2018, there were 4,597 diabetes-related amputations across "Northern and Yorkshire regions," which includes the North-East and North Yorkshire.

It found there had been an increase of around 23 percent in amputations below the ankle, while acknowledging there had been a small decrease in the number of major lower limb amputations of 0.62 percent, since figures between 2011 and 2014 were last published.

'20 times more likely'

Claiming that someone living with diabetes is 20 times more likely to experience amputation than someone without the condition, Clare Howarth, Head of the North of England at Diabetes UK, called on the NHS to ensure those with diabetes had access to specialist care and support.

She said: "Ensuring that multidisciplinary specialist foot care teams are in every single hospital across the country will not only significantly improve outcomes for people with diabetes, it will also cut down on long-term costs to the NHS.

“The differences in the standard of treatment between areas is unacceptable. An amputation, regardless of whether it’s defined as minor or major, is devastating and life-changing.

"A ‘minor’ amputation can still involve losing a whole foot. Especially as many diabetes amputations are avoidable through better quality care – we have to do better.

“To stop this upward trend in the number of amputations, we are urging NHS England to stay true to their commitments and ensure people with diabetes have access to the specialist care and support they need.”

What NHS England have to say

Professor Jonathan Valabhji, National Clinical Director for Diabetes and Obesity said: “Fortunately, despite the significant and worrying rise in avoidable type 2 diabetes putting lives at risk and extra pressure on the NHS, the risk of any individual with diabetes having a major amputation has fallen significantly since 2011 and is now one of the lowest internationally, thanks to better NHS care.

 “Eight out of 10 hospitals have multidisciplinary foot care teams, up from just over half in 2011, and thanks to the NHS Long Term Plan all hospitals will have these teams by 2024.​"