Ulster Unionist MLA Roy Beggs has learned that constituents with diabetes in the Northern Health & Social Care Trust are over three times more likely to undergo an amputation compared to those in the Western Health and Social Care Trust. The information was revealed to him after he tabled an Assembly Question to the Health Minister.
East Antrim MLA Roy Beggs said;
“I am shocked to learn that my constituents with diabetes in Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey are three times more likely to have a limb amputated than in the Western HSC Trust area.
“The highest incidence of amputation related diabetes of any local trusts is in the Northern HSC Trust with 22 per hundred thousand, with only 7 per hundred in the Western HSC Trust. The figures for the rest of Northern Ireland are 10 in the Southern, 11 in the South Eastern and 18 in the Belfast Trust per hundred thousand.
“Evidence shows that structured diabetes education and advice can help with diet and lifestyle guidance which avoids painful deterioration of their condition, the need for costly NHS intervention and ultimately the need for amputation.
“The question is, why is this limb saving advice and support not available to diabetics in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust?”
