A new analysis from Diabetes UK shows there has been a dramatic increase in the number of limb amputations related to diabetes in recent years.
The number of minor lower limb amputations (LLAs) - amputations below the ankle - has increased by more than a quarter (26.5%) from 2014 to 2017, and the number of major LLAs, defined as amputations below the knee has increased by 4.1%.
Diabetes is the most common cause of LLAs in the UK, and people with diabetes are 20 times more likely to have an amputation than someone without the condition.
Dan Howarth, head of care at DUK, said: 'The shocking number of lower limb amputations related to diabetes grows year on year. An amputation, regardless of whether it's defined as minor or major, is devastating and life-changing.'
DUK is calling on NHS England to maintain the Diabetes Transformation Fund beyond 2019, to reduce the variability of footcare across England.
