MORE and more diabetes sufferers are not receiving full regular foot checks, which could mean a higher risk of amputation, campaigners say.

The Bury Diabetic Support Group said “the vast majority” of concerns of diabetes sufferers in the borough are about foot checks, with many patients saying they are not receiving full examinations as regularly as they should be doing.

NHS guidelines say patients should receive a quality foot check from a GP or chiropodist at least once a year.

Feet should be tested for numbness or changes in sensation with a tuning fork or a fine plastic strand called a monofilament.

But many patients are reporting to the support group they are not receiving the full checks on an annual basis.

Geoff Goldberg, chair of the Bury Diabetic Support Group, said: “It has got to a stage where private chiropodists are coming to meetings and asking people if they want to pay to have the checks done, which I don’t have anything against, but it shows that people cannot rely on the NHS if they are going privately.

“I regularly meet with diabetes charities and associations and the biggest concern with the condition is amputations as a result of circulation problems, I would say it is the biggest concern in the diabetes community.

“If people are not receiving the full checks then NHS guidelines are not being followed and that is a serious issue.”

Mr Goldberg added the support group works closely with NHS Bury Clinical Commissioning Group, which has he says has always addressed concerns when they have been raised in the past.

“We try to be constructive and flag up concerns, we are certainly not here to bash the CCG or anybody else but we have to represent diabetes sufferers and their carers,” he said.

Dr Kiran Patel, chair of Bury CCG, said foot checks are an important part of annual review for patients with diabetes, who are at a higher risk of developing foot problems.

Foot checks provide information about a patient’s future risk of foot complications and this helps to plan future management and care.

Dr Patel added: “The CCG has noted the concerns of the Diabetic Support Group that not all patients are having this assessment.

“We will be seeking assurance that foot checks are available consistently to all eligible patients across Bury and we will report back formally to the Support Group on the findings of the National Diabetes Audit, in which all Bury Practices are taking part.”