Healthway Medical launches new foot care services for diabetics

The team will use a multidisciplinary approach. 

Healthway Medical Group has introduced new foot care services for diabetics, Nobel Diabetic Foot Care, aiming to reduce diabetes-related amputations in Singapore and Asia. 

Previous research showed that Singapore has the second-highest number of diabetics amongst developed countries and the highest lower extremity amputations in the world. As such, the city-state spent $1b in 2010 alone for diabetes with patients having a healthcare expenditure three times that of the general population. 

The team, comprised of orthopaedic surgeons from Island Orthopaedics and podiatrists from Straits Podiatry, will use a multidisciplinary approach for the service as this helped over 50 patients retain their limbs and halved recovery time. 

The process will begin with an assessment and then a formulation of a care plan including all-in-one appointments to minimise delays in treatment. 

“If a patient presents an infected blister, the orthopaedic surgeon intervenes to remove and control the infection, whilst the podiatrist will continue the advanced post-surgical treatment,” Jackie Tey, chief podiatrist of Straits Podiatry, said. 

Saw Yu Ting, chief podiatrist of Straits Podiatry, added that podiatrists can also prescribe custom insoles, braces and give footwear recommendations to prevent future recurrences. 

Nobel will initially offer Diabetic Foot Screening, Foot Ulcer Treatment, Infection Management and Foot Pressure Offloading at Island Orthopaedics.