Debbie Wilson, lecturer in Podiatry at the School of Health and Life Sciences, was invited by the Society and College of Podiatry to attend an All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes (APPGD) at the Houses of Parliament on Thursday, March 22.

The APPGD was formed to study the condition of diabetes and its clinical and legal complexities.

The purpose of the meeting was to consider how to ensure fewer people experience difficulties coping with diabetes and how appropriate support can be made available across the UK for anyone who needs it.

The meeting was chaired by The Rt Hon Keith Vaz MP. Speakers included a patient with diabetes, Diabetes Specialist Nurse Consultant, Clinical Psychologists, Nurse Directors and Mental Health services. The audience included representatives from The College of Podiatry, NHS health Trusts across England and Scotland and private companies involved with diabetes healthcare.

Debbie attended the meeting not only as a representative for the College of Podiatry, but also as a Podiatry Lecturer and Diabetes Specialist Podiatrist for NHS Lanarkshire.

During the meeting, Debbie highlighted the profession’s vital position in identifying, supporting and signposting patients suffering from anxiety and depression. She also emphasised the importance of appropriate training to help this vulnerable population.

At least four in ten people with diabetes experience emotional or psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety and diabetes distress. This can impact their ability and motivation to self-manage, leading to poorer health outcomes, reduced quality of life and increased healthcare costs.

Speaking after the APPGD, Debbie said: “Chronic complications of diabetes can result in poor blood flow and nerve damage to the lower limb and foot which can lead to non-healing ulceration, amputation and premature death.

“The podiatrist’s role in supporting patients with active foot disease can be frequent and prolonged, rapidly changing from wound dressing and pressure relief, to emotional and psychological support.

“As a podiatrist within NHS Lanarkshire, I have had some basic training from our psychology colleagues on how best to communicate and support our patients, as well as a suicide prevention training programme. Since having attended this programme, I have had to intervene on three patients who had expressed suicidal thoughts and been able to get them appropriate psychological support. However, not all health boards provide this level of training and I know of other colleagues who fear of engaging with patients in this manner due to lack of training and support.”

Debbie has been asked by The College of Podiatry to write a synopsis of this meeting for publication within The Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists Journal for publication.