Diabetes Healthy Feet

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for lower limb amputations and it is estimated that 85% of such procedures are preventable in Australia. To decrease the prevalence of diabetes-related amputations, the NSW Diabetes Prevention Framework states that people with DM require an integrated care approach for effective diabetes management. In line with the Framework, Diabetes Healthy Feet aims to increase coordination between primary and tertiary care providers to facilitate timely and appropriate foot care for diabetes patients in the CESPHN region.

Key resources

Foot forward website

The Foot Forward portal is a health professional and consumer website providing educational resources to support people with diabetes and prevent diabetes-related foot disease. It includes:

E-learning diabetes foot risk modules, for healthcare professionals caring for people diabetes
Interactive Diabetes foot care pathway to help assess your patient’s risk of developing foot disease and determine their foot action plan
Lunch & Learn online sessions with Australian and international experts in diabetes and foot disease discussing current, innovative, and holistic approaches to keeping people ulcer free.

Educational Resources

The following resources have been developed by Sydney Local Health District (SLHD) Podiatry Department in collaboration with CESPHN:

Caring for someone else’s feet – Pictorial guide to aid carers in providing basic foot care.

Foot screening checklist – including vascular assessment pathway – Diabetes foot risk assessment document to help in completing a foot screening.

Foot Risk summaries – Information for patients based on their risk of developing foot complications because of diabetes

Diabetes Integrated Foot Care Pathways

Diabetes Foot Risk Stratification and Triage pathway – NDSS National diabetes foot risk pathway decision tool to assist clinicians in the screening, management and referral pathways for people living with diabetes.

Active Foot Disease Pathway – NDSS National active foot disease pathway to assist in the timely management of people presenting with diabetes related foot disease.

SLHD – Foot Care Referral Pathway – Foot care options within the Sydney Local Health District

HealthPathways

South Eastern Sydney HealthPathways

Sydney HealthPathways

Intake forms

SLHD podiatry and high risk foot clinic

St George and Sutherland Hospitals high risk foot clinic

Prince of Wales Hospital Diabetes Centre Podiatry: High Level & Complex Diabetic Foot Care