In 2023, Calderdale Cares Partnership, who are a part of West Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) gave CHFT funding for a project to improve compliance with annual diabetic foot checks, which has seen foot screening compliance in Calderdale jump from 54.9% in 2022 to 86% in 2024. Across West Yorkshire average compliance is 73.2% which shows how there has been a step change in improvement.
A project manager was employed for 15 months to optimise the model of diabetic foot screening, identify barriers to compliance, share good practice and establish a long-term plan to maintain high compliance in Calderdale. An additional fixed term Podiatry Assistant also helped increase the capacity available for screening clinics.
The community team have taken a proactive and collaborative approach, allocating clinics according to the diabetic population in each Primary Care Network across Calderdale, working with GP Practice Managers and Clinical Directors. A new diabetic foot screening clinic timetable was fully implemented in September 2023.
Diabetic foot screening project manager, Clare Hogg, started in post five months ago and is working to ensure these improved results are further optimised and maintained into the future. Clare said: “The progress so far highlights the impact of effective collaboration. I'm committed to working with our partners to ensure this momentum is maintained and translated into lasting system-wide improvements.”
