SOUTHAMPTON is at the centre of a devastating rise in chronic diabetes – with patients undergoing some of the highest numbers of limb amputations in the country.

Shocking figures released by health chiefs reveal that almost twice as many of the city’s diabetics are having to go under the knife compared to the rest of the country.

This is despite a raft of city initiatives aimed at tackling the rapidly growing condition following previous research flagging it up as one of worst cities for limb amputations.

But health chiefs insist that work already being done to combat the disease is moving the city in the “right direction” to make long-term improvements.

Diabetes condition which affects the body’s ability to process glucose (sugar) – and means they may require insulin or tablets to regulate blood sugar – which can lead to foot ulcers and infections which can result in foot amputations.

Newly published analysis by Diabetes UK revealed the number of diabetes-related amputations in England is now 7,370 a year – the equivalent of 20 a day – compared to 7,042 amputations the previous year.

The findings are based on Public Health England data, which also shows there were 165 amputations in the Southampton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area between March last year and April 2012 – compared to 148 amputations between March 2014 and April 2011.

This meant 4.6 amputations per 1,000 of the population – nearly twice the national average of 2.6 per 1,000.

There were 880 episodes of care for diabetic foot disease between 2012/13 and 2014/15 – accounting for 9,033 nights in hospital.

This amounted to 254.5 nights in hospital per 1,000 people with diabetes – around one-and-a-half times the national average of 161 overnight stays.

Previous figures reveal up to 20 per cent of adult patients in UK hospitals are diabetic - a condition which affects the body’s ability to process glucose (sugar) - and means they may require insulin or tablets to regulate blood sugar.

As previously reported, 12,000 people in Southampton are diabetic and the city was named as the seventh worst for limb amputations stemming from the illness, according to Diabetes UK research.

Now the charity stresses that with good diabetes healthcare and support, four out of five amputations could be prevented as 80 per cent begin as foot ulcers, which are largely avoidable and far more treatable if found in the early stages.

The figures pre-date a series of drives launched in the city to combat the illness to ensure people get the help they need and to increase education, advice and quicker access to healthcare services.

They were led follow an emotive campaign which included putting on by putting a display of amputee’s’ shoes outside the Bargate in Southampton city centre with a tag telling each person’s story their story.

Dr Mark Kelsey, pictured inset, deputy chairman of Southampton CCG, says that a “huge amount” of work was going into reducing amputations, including a new footcare clinic based at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, run in partnership with Solent NHS Trust, and added: “People with diabetes who are at medium to high risk of developing foot-related problems will be supported through education, advice and quicker access to services.

“These combine the skills of both foot specialists, known as podiatrists, and diabetes consultants will also be available for those with more complex foot conditions.”

Southampton General Hospital diabetes consultant Dr Mayank Patel has previously said the NHS spends £1.6 million an hour on the condition – the equivalent of 10 per cent of its budget.

He stressed the clinics and new blueprint to revolutionise care for patients in hospitals will improve foot health for diabetics, but added: “The foot results we want to see, such as a reduction in ulcers, infections and amputations, may not take full effect for at least three to five years, but this is a significant service development for people in the city and we are moving in the right direction.”

A previous Public Health England (PHE) report shows 129,705 Hampshire people are at high risk of developing Type 2 diabetes – the equivalent of 11.7 per cent of the population. A further 19,352 (9.6 per cent) in Southampton are vulnerable to developing the condition.