Foot care in diabetes: developing the role of community nurses

Abstract

Foot ulceration in patients with diabetes is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The aim of this article is to inform readers of the major causes of foot ulceration in people with diabetes and to explore the role of community nurses in the assessment, treatment and prevention of foot problems in diabetes. It is argued that with the recent development of primary care groups, community nurses are well placed to become more proactive in the provision and commissioning of services for this group of patients.