All diabetes wound care services must “self-benchmark” their work so they can measure progress, learn from outcomes and continuously look to improve care, the Chair of the English Diabetes Footcare Network (EDFN) has said.
Mr Richard Leigh, who is also a Consultant Podiatrist at Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, is urging all footcare teams to utilise a free audit tool which helps people record data for the National Diabetes Footcare Audit (NDFA).
Mr Leigh said: “The data can be used as a self-benchmarking tool to see how your diabetes wound care service is progressing. It can provide outcome statistics which can be shared with commissioning bodies and local Trusts. The NDFA also produces national outcomes and guidance based on the collective data.”
The NDFA team are meeting with local networks in a bid to answer questions, provide support and share best practice in order to develop agreed guidelines and protocols which have been identified from the survey.
Footcare teams are being offered the opportunity to discuss the audit with the NDFA Team. For those who would like to arrange a meeting in their local area email: william.jeffcoate@gmail.com
