WIREDGOV

During his first trip to North Wales as Cabinet Secretary for Health Well-being and Sport, Vaughan Gething yesterday visited the Diabetes Foot Ulcer Team at Ysbyty Gwynedd Hospital.

The Cabinet Secretary took the opportunity to meet with the diabetes foot ulcer team who are delivering high quality care to people across North Wales. He spoke with them about their podiatry service and preventative, community based model.

The Diabetic Foot Ulcer Team provides help and support for patients with medium or high risk of lower limb amputation working closely with the vascular surgical team.

Vaughan Gething yesterday said:

“It has been good to see, first hand, the quality care being provided to people living with diabetes in North Wales.

“We know poor routine foot care can have a serious detrimental effect, including amputation, so we need to ensure there is a more consistent approach and equitable access to services.

“Our Diabetes Delivery Plan aims to deliver improvements in identification, care and treatment of the condition. This includes the appointment of a national diabetes foot care lead to help health boards across Wales meet national standards, the roll out of a new foot care pathway and foot screening tool across Wales.

“Tomorrow I’ll be attending an event in Cardiff Bay - ‘The Truth About Diabetes’ - which encourages people to share their experiences of diabetes. I want to see Wales having diabetes incidence rates and healthcare outcomes comparable with the best in Europe.

“We’re seeing real progress and momentum through the delivery plan and I want to see this continue.”