Let’s start with some worldwide diabetes facts

Source: The International Diabetes Federation

Published February 2020 relating to 2019…

You can find out more about the International Diabetes Federation from their website

International Diabetes Federation – Home

The global advocate for people with diabetes. The mission of IDF is to promote diabetes care, prevention and a cure worldwide. The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) is an umbrella organisation of over 240 national diabetes associations across 168 countries. It represents the interests of people with diabetes and those at risk.

Diabetes is now one of the world’s most common long term health conditions.

The cost of diabetes to the NHS is over £1.5m an hour or 10% of the NHS budget for England and Wales.

According to Diabetes UK, 4.7 million people in the UK have diabetes. The number of people with diabetes in the UK is expected to rise to 5 million by 2025.

It is estimated that one in four care homes have a resident with diabetes.

People with diabetes are at high risk of long-term health problems, particularly vulnerable are the eyes, kidneys, brain, feet, heart and nerves.

For example, people with diabetes may not feel or notice a mild foot or leg ulcer until it becomes serious. Because of circulation issues, the ulcer may not heal which can lead to infection and tissue death. Ultimately, this can result in the amputation of a limb. 

Eyes

Kidneys

Brain

Feet

 Heart

Nerves

These estimations were published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in a costings report in 2015.

1. 10% of people with diabetes will have a diabetic foot ulcer at some point in their lives.
2. Diabetic foot ulcers precede more than 80% of amputations in people with diabetes.
3. After a first amputation, people with diabetes are twice as likely to have a subsequent amputation as people without diabetes.
4. Mortality rates after diabetic foot ulceration and amputation are high, with up to 70% of people dying within 5 years of having an amputation.

So you can see, it can get pretty serious.

An amputation may reduce a person’s independence, particularly if they have other long term conditions. Aside from the cost of health and social care, this is likely to have a huge impact on an individual’s mental heath and overall wellbeing.

Appropriate care and support can prevent this from happening and that’s where you can help.

Mental capacity

It is essential that care and support workers consider the implications of the Mental Capacity Act in decision making when supporting individuals. The mental capacity of individuals will be recorded on their care and support plan. 

Our Mental Capacity Act course is recommended as a refresher if you are unsure about this important area of care.