Australian Podiatry Association - Tasmania

 The President of the Australasian Podiatry Council (APodC), Brenden Brown says on any single day in Australia one in every 20 hospital beds is occupied by a patient with a foot problem due to their diabetes.

 

“This is a potentially avoidable situation because we know that a podiatrist can prevent up to 85 per cent of amputations and associated hospital admissions”. Mr Brown says.

 

“The problem is that patients with diabetes are only entitled to a maximum of 5 Medicare funded appointments with a podiatrist every year when an up to 12 podiatry visits may be required”.

 

“As a result, patients with diabetes are being hospitalised with complex foot problems. This situation is ludicrous and false economy. A patient with a major amputation such as a foot or lower leg costs the system around $100,000. In comparison, 12 podiatry appointments through Medicare costs $600”, Mr Brown continued.

 

“Our politicians ignore the issue of podiatry and Medicare, because they don’t think it’s a vote winner”.

 

“An estimated 1 million Australians have diabetes, so that’s 1 million votes that no political party can afford to lose”.

 

“We’re urging voters to pressure their local candidates to commit to funding for up to 12 podiatry appointments per year. It’s the obvious solution to an extensive and expensive problem”. Mr Brown concluded.

 

ENDS

 

Media enquiries:

 

Communications Director, APodC, Kylie Johnson on 0405 425 665 or kylie@apodc.com.au