Inequalities in lower limb amputations in the spotlight in new EDFN podcast

The latest podcast from the English Diabetes Footcare Network hears from Consultant Vascular Surgeon Naseer Ahmad, who discusses inequalities in amputations and the relationship between vascular surgery and podiatry.

The Talking Feet series features leading footcare professionals and academics as they share their expertise and thoughts on the hot topics from the world of diabetic foot.

Dr Ahmad, from Manchester University Foundation Trust, talks about the “huge inequalities” after he examined data from 100,000 amputations across England over a 10-year period.

He found that there were three times more amputations in men than women; 70 per cent more amputations in the black population compared to the white population; and 30 per cent more amputations in the north of England compared to the south of England.

Dr Ahmad, who is Deputy Chief Clinical Information Officer for the Trust and is Director of both Manchester Amputation Reduction Strategy and Greater Manchester Aneurysm Screening Programme, also discussed the Wound, Ischemia, foot Infection (WIfI) criteria and how non-vascular colleagues can use it to help surgeons assess a critical foot.

Listen to Dr Ahmad’s podcast here and access the Talking Feet series here.