We are concerned about the impact on hospitals of patients with diabetes related foot health problems.
With hospitals in NSW at breaking point, many beds are filled by patients with diabetes suffering foot problems; problems that could have been avoided.
Peter Lazzarini Australasian Podiatry Council’s (APodC) vice-president agrees.
‘On any given night in Australia, over 550 people are in hospital with diabetes-related foot ulcers…if you can imagine it, that’s like a large metropolitan hospital every night filled only with patients suffering problems with foot ulcers.’
‘The real shame is we know that up to 90% of those people, or 495 of the 550 patients each night, didn’t need to be there. Their foot problem could have been simply managed if they had better access to podiatry-led multi-disciplinary management in their community, thus, avoiding their need to go into hospital.’
‘Unfortunately, we also know around one in three people that currently go into hospital with a foot ulcer will come out with a limb amputated, costing up to $100,000 per patient.’ Mr Lazzarini continued.
‘The solution to this situation has to come from Federal Government. The APodC is using Foot Health Month 2011 to highlight the situation and call on the Government to take simple steps to improve foot health care for patients with diabetes.
‘It is really important that all patients with diabetes visit their podiatrist or doctor at least annually. It is absolutely vitally important that patients with known diabetic foot disease, like foot ulcers, visit their podiatrist and doctor weekly to heal their ulcer or monthly to prevent another ulcer. We know that this is the best way to avoid foot health complications which can lead to hospitalisation, amputation or even death.
‘Unfortunately, Medicare currently only funds up to 5 podiatry, or allied health, visits as part of a care plan for diabetes per year.
‘We are calling on the Federal Government to increase the number of Medicare services for people with diabetes foot disease to a minimum of 12 podiatry visits.’
Mr Lazzarini says it’s the obvious and cost-effective answer to an expensive problem.
‘Twelve Medicare-funded podiatry appointments for patients with diabetes cost a few hundred dollars, while lower limb amputations can cost the health system anywhere up to $100,000 per patient.’ he said.
‘Increasing the number of Medicare-funded podiatry appointments is one of the best ways to take the pressure of our hospitals and improve the health of Australians living with diabetes. The added bonus is we will also save the taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars by doing this. It really is a no brainer.’ Mr Lazzarini concluded.
