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WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES BY DEPUTY R.G. LE HÉRISSIER OF ST. SAVIOUR
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 5th MARCH 2013
Question
Would the Minister state the number of foot amputations, if any, that have taken place in Jersey in the last two calendar years as a result of complications arising from diabetes and what procedures are in place to avoid amputations?
Answer
Nine patients with diabetes have had toe or lower leg amputations over the last two year period. Without scrutinising individual patient notes it cannot be known whether the procedure was due to complications related to their diabetes or not.
There are several services in place to help prevent complications related to diabetes and thus help avoid amputation including:
- Dietetic service - to help patients understand how they can improve their diet to assist with weight loss and control of their diabetes
- Specialist nurse education - to ensure patients are aware that they are at greater risk of damaging their feet and that they may take longer to heal from any injury
- Regular diabetes follow-up - the frequency of which will depend on the individual's need and level of control
- Chiropody - advice on how maintain healthy feet and to assisting, where appropriate, with nail cutting which can be a cause of foot injury
- Podiatry - for patients with specific problems, with some patients being seen weekly if they have developed ulcers. The aim is to encourage healing, prevent infection and deterioration, which could lead to amputation