Diabetic Foot Care

Diabetic foot disease is becoming an increasingly urgent health issue with more patients living with the disease are suffering from ulceration and amputation.  The regional diabetic foot pathway launched in 2018.  This pathway offers an improved service for people living with diabetes from Foot Screening, assessment, diagnosis of risk, education, protection and escalation through the Foot Protection Team (FPT), the Enhanced Foot Protection Team (EFPT) and the Multidisciplinary Foot Protection Team (MDFT).

Foot Screening – community based service for patients who live with or have recently been diagnosed with diabetes.  A Podiatrist/Podiatry Assistant assesses patients and an individual care plan is agreed.  Patients who are low risk will be screened every two years. Our service no longer offers a routine nail care service for those who are deemed to be low risk.

Foot Protection Team (FPT) – community based service offering assessment, treatments and education as per risk. Prevention and management of foot ulceration and they have direct access to the hospital based foot teams (EFPT)

Enhanced Foot Protection Team (EFPT) – hospital based service in Antrim and Causeway. Patients can self-refer or are referred by any Health Care Professional with a deteriorating foot wound or red, hot swollen foot.  They will get direct access to a team of professionals with the key skills necessary to assess, diagnose and initiate immediate treatment for diabetic foot disease.  This team have direct access to the regional vascular and orthopaedic foot services in Belfast (MDFT)

Multidisciplinary Foot Team (MDFT) – based in the Royal Victoria Hospital.  This team comprises of Vascular and Orthopaedic Consultants, Interventional Radiologists, Podiatry and an Orthotist.

This is a streamlined service available to all diabetic patients where early intervention and education can reduce the rate of ulceration and amputation.  Patients are supported and encourage to manage their disease.