UUP candidates Roy Beggs, Jo-Anne Dobson & Harold McKee, with Cllr Andrew Wilson and representatives of Diabetes UK at Stormont
Roy Beggs, who by placing Assembly Questions in 2014 highlighted that diabetes patients in the Northern HSC Trust area were 3 times more likely to suffer amputation than those living in the Western Trust region has welcomed the evaluation of the 1-Stop diabetes clinic pilot in the Northern Trust which has been attributed with reducing the unacceptability high number of amputations by 90% and he has urged that the
service would be available to all diabetes patients locally.
Roy Beggs, Ulster Unionist Assembly candidate for East Antrim said, “When I was a member of the Health committee and the All Party Group on Diabetes I became aware of the growing occurrence of Diabetes and that the support services covering Northern HSCT and my East Antrim constituents were not as effective as elsewhere. By asking pertinent questions, I was able to highlight that local diabetes patients were 3 times as likely to undergo a limb amputation as patients in the Western Trust area”.
Amputation of a limb is life changing, restricting what a patient can do. It very costly both to the patient and also to the NHS as a result of the cost of surgical intervention and the ongoing support that is necessary. The pilot scheme which operated from the Causeway Hospital enabled patients to see their podiatrist, dietician and specialist nurse under one roof within 24 hours, if required. GPs could even refer an emergency case knowing the patients might even be seen that day.
Roy Beggs said, “Having exposed the weakness of the local diabetes support which was available in 2014, I am delighted with this dramatically positive result of the Causeway Hospital pilot which has reduced amputations by 90% and urge the Health Trusts to ensure that every diabetes patient has access to the advice and support that can literally prevent limb amputation”.
