BLACKBURN with Darwen is leading the way in limiting preventable foot amputations in people with diabetes.

But elsewhere in East Lancashire the number of people undergoing operations because of the condition remains ‘unacceptably high’, according to Diabetes UK as it launches its ‘Putting Feet First’ campaign.

Diabetes can cause severe problems with the blood vessels in the feet, meaning many patients experience numbness, swelling and severe ulcers as a result of the lack of blood flow.

When these ulcers appear, they are very difficult to get rid of, and can develop into infections so severe that the patient’s foot has to be amputated.

Latest figures show that NHS Blackburn with Darwen Care Trust Plus only had 0.50 major amputations per 1,000 adults with diabetes, compared to the national average of 0.99 per 1,000, between 2008 and 2011. This makes it the best performing trust in the North West and one of the best in the UK.

However, NHS East Lancashire, which covers Hyndburn, Ribble Valley, Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale, recorded 1.17 per 1,000.

From 2008 to 2011, 21 adults living with diabetes across Blackburn with Darwen had amputations and there were 155 episodes of care for diabetic foot disease, accounting for 885 nights in hospital.

In the same period, 152 adults in the five boroughs covered by NHS East Lancashire had amputations and there were 750 episodes of care for diabetic foot disease, accounting for 6,592 nights in hospital.

East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust's diabetic footcare team has helped lower rates working with NHS Blackburn with Darwen and Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust. The hospital trust has now assumed responsibility from NHS East Lancashire for patients in the five boroughs and hopes to repeat its success and improve rates there.

Helen Pattie, Diabetes UK north west regional manager, said: “We are delighted that Blackburn and Darwen are performing well and they are paving the way for better diabetes footcare. However, a single preventable amputation is one too many.

“Diabetes UK is working with NHS East Lancashire and Blackburn and Darwen to address footcare issues. We need to see an improvement in the way care is organised.”

The campaign aims to reduce diabetes related amputations by 50 per cent over the next five years.

It urges people living with diabetes to look after their feet and have them checked regularly.