NHS Dorset is being urged to ‘put feet first’ after the number of diabetes-related amputations in the county was deemed unacceptably high.

The Putting Feet First Campaign was launched by Diabetes UK as new research revealed higher than average amputation numbers.

Graham Cooper, regional manager for Diabetes UK South West, said: “A single preventable amputation is one too many and the number of amputations in Dorset is unacceptably high.

“We need to see an improvement in the way care is organised. “We need commissioners, healthcare professionals and people with diabetes to understand what care should be available, and for this care to be in place and delivered in a co-ordinated way that meets the needs of the patient.

“Amputations have a devastating effect on quality of life and so every amputation that results from ineffective healthcare is a tragedy. “We need to make sure that better healthcare is available and that people understand what healthcare they should be getting.”

The campaign aims to reduce amputation numbers by 50 percent in five years and highlight examples of good practice.

It will encourage Primary Care Trusts to introduce these methods and demand that diabetes sufferers enjoy quality care.