Diabetics have been welcoming Cork University Hospital's announcement that it's setting up the first hospital-based podiatrist (foot specialist) unit in the health services. Ms Laura Hagger has been appointed podiatrist at the hospital, specialising in diabetic foot care.
Three nurses who specialise in diabetes and a dietician make up the remainder of the team. The service should be fully operational by the new year.
"Diabetes is a condition that affects 3 per cent of the Irish population," according to the Southern Health Board. "It can have a devastating impact on a person's life. Some of the major complications associated with diabetes manifest themselves in the feet, leading to a loss of feeling and poor circulation.
"These complications, on too many occasions, lead ultimately to the amputation of a limb or part of a limb. This is something that can have a devastating effect on the individual's quality of life as well as on their families and carers. With timely identifications, screening and education of the at-risk patient, traumatic situations like this can be prevented.
"The future plan of Cork University Hospital is to be at the cutting edge of patient care, and the establishment of the diabetic podiatry clinic as a centre of excellence in diabetic foot care is a major aspect of working towards achieving this goal."
The hospital board says all newly-diagnosed diabetics will have an initial assessment and foot screening and will be seen by the podiatrist at least once a year. Up to now, chiropody sessions were available at the hospital two afternoons each week, but demand greatly outstripped the services that could be provided. "With timely intervention, many of the complications associated with diabetes can be prevented, and this is exactly what we hope to achieve," Ms Hagger said.