Researchers given £300,000 for innovative trial to tackle foot ulcers

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Our aim is to undertake a small trial, comparing motivational interviewing to current care, to find out if a larger trial is possible and worth doing Ruth Barn, Glasgow Caledonian University Foot ulcers appear below the ankle and affect 19-34% of people with diabetes. As little as a 10% reduction in ulceration rate could bring significant cost benefits to the NHS and would be enough to justify a much larger future trial Gordon Hendry, Glasgow Caledonian University She said: “People involved in the study said that the approach is more individualised and feels different. “As little as a 10% reduction in ulceration rate could bring significant cost benefits to the NHS and would be enough to justify a much larger future trial. “It’s possible that a little bit of behaviour change chosen and driven by patients themselves, with the support of highly trained podiatrists, will have a tangible effect on reducing ulceration and amputation rates in a group that has greater need.” A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Diabetes is a clinical priority for the Scottish Government and by funding this innovative pilot we hope that progress can be made in tackling diabetes-related foot ulceration in some of the country’s most deprived areas.