MORE THAN 5,000 people with diabetes in Dorset are missing out on essential annual foot checks which could lead to amputation.

The figures from Diabetes UK show that of the 38,200 people who have been diagnosed, 14 percent are not having their feet checked.

Diabetes UK has recently launched a new leaflet for their 'Putting Feet First' campaign which has been ongoing for three years now.

The campaign hopes to bring an end to the thousands of potentially preventable amputations across the UK every year.

The latest part of the campaign focuses patients on what to expect at an annual foot check, something that the charity has not highlighted before.

Claire Gordon, South West regional manager for Diabetes UK, is urging people in Dorset to be vigilant about checking their feet and attending their annual foot check.

She said: “Foot checks are vital for people with diabetes because poor control of blood glucose levels can lead to nerve damage, poor circulation and reduced feeling in the feet and legs.

“This in turn can lead to serious foot problems, such as ulcers, that can lead to amputation.

“More than 100 diabetes-related amputations are carried out in the UK every week, and it is thought that up to 80 per cent of them could be prevented. The foot check is a chance for potential problems to be identified, assessed, and preventative action to be taken.”

Ms Gordon added that 86 percent of people getting their feet checked isn’t enough.

“We want everyone living with diabetes in Dorset to get their annual check and have the information they need to look after their feet and know what to expect from their health service. Amputations are life changing and we want to ensure that as few people as possible have to endure the devastating consequences.”

Chairman of West Dorset Diabetes UK, Shona Freeborn and her husband Tim, who suffers from the condition, know the importance of regular foot check-ups.

In the 80s Tim developed a small mark in between his toes.

Within two days his foot was full of cellulitis, which is caused by an infection of tissues beneath the skin.

Luckily it was spotted and treated early enough that Tim did not require his foot to be amputated.

Shona said that the foot check was 'very simple'.

"It takes 10 minutes so why people aren't going, I don't know.

"It's so important because there's many things that can go wrong in feet, not just infections.

"The important thing is any changes in your feet that you notice, go and see someone and don't ignore it."

Information about the annual check-up can be found at diabetes.org.uk/putting-feet-first