A NATIONAL charity says the rate of preventable amputations on people with diabetes is “unacceptably high” in Dorset.

Research by Diabetes UK revealed the number of major amputations varied tenfold between primary care trusts in England between 2007 and 2010.

NHS Dorset’s total amputation rate among adults with diabetes was the third highest in England at 4.71 per 1,000.

Of those, 1.47 were major, compared to England’s average of 0.99.

NHS Bournemouth and Poole’s rate of major amputations was 0.79 and NHS Hampshire’s was 1.2.

The figures have been released to coincide with a new campaign called Putting Feet First. It will highlight examples of good practice that have brought down amputation rates and encourage all PCTs to copy them.

The charity says its study found that high levels of variation in amputation could not be explained by factors such as smoking or social deprivation.

But amputation rates had reduced in places where specialist foot care teams had been created in hospitals, and patients given quick access in the event of a problem.

Diabetes UK is calling for everyone with diabetes to receive a thorough foot check once a year and to be referred to a specialist team if they are at increased risk. The charity says anyone who develops foot problems should be sent to a specialist foot care team within 24 hours.

The campaign will also raise awareness so that people with diabetes understand the importance of looking after and checking their feet.

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. For more information on Diabetes UK and its feet campaign please visit the website diabetes.org.uk/putting-feet-first