Diabetes and lower limb complications: A thematic review of clinical negligence claims (NHS Resolution, June 2022)

Summary

Since 2013/14, there has been a growth in the volume and value of clinical negligence claims involving patients with diabetes-related lower limb complications. The majority of claims have involved patients with a diabetic foot ulcer who went on to undergo a major lower limb amputation.

This thematic review by Nicole Mottolini, Clinical Fellow at NHS Resolution, looks at 92 claims of negligence for lower limb problems involving patients with diabetes. The author used qualitative analysis to identify recurrent clinical themes leading to patient harm including unacceptable delays in diagnosis, delayed referral to specialised care and failures in the Multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Team (MDFT). Her report highlights shortcomings in diabetes foot care in England, makes recommendations to improve patient care and proposes certain standards which should be put into practice and regularly audited.