An educational video has been launched to help people with diabetes manage their foot health.
Cornwall has seen a decrease in diabetic foot amputation rates, credited to improved awareness and healthcare initiatives led by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, with support from Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's podiatry services.
Over the past decade, Cornwall's diabetic population has increased, but major and minor amputations have fallen. Between 2015/6 and 2025/6, major amputations dropped from 28 to 22, while minor amputations decreased from 106 to 82.
As part of ongoing efforts, NHS Cornwall released a new video: Happy Feet: Small Steps Make a Big Difference. The video features people living with long-term conditions and offers practical advice like washing and drying feet, moisturising, and wearing shoes and socks that fit.
Viewers are also encouraged to check their feet every day for cuts, blisters, redness, swelling, hard skin, cracks or changes in colour or shape.
The campaign is aimed at people with diabetes and stresses the importance of daily foot care and seeking help when changes are noticed.
Diabetes can affect circulation and reduce feeling in the feet, which can make injuries harder to spot and slow down healing. These problems can lead to complications, including amputations, but proactive care can prevent them.
Paul Sweet, from the long-term conditions group, spoke about having toes amputated. He said: “It’s really important to look after your feet. If you’ve got any problems make sure you speak to your podiatrist as soon as you’ve got those problems, because the sooner they know, the sooner they can be treated.”
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Cornwall Diabetic Foot Amputations Fall as NHS Promotes Care