Core Services from a Multidisciplinary Diabetic Foot Team (ZAP Position Statement)
A position statement by the Zero All Preventable (ZAP) Amputation group of Foot in Diabetes UK (FDUK), published April 15, 2025 in The Diabetic Foot Journal, outlines the essential services that people with active diabetic foot problems should expect from a multidisciplinary diabetic foot team (MDFT).
Key Highlights:
- Team Composition: Core members should include podiatrists, diabetologists, vascular specialists, orthopaedic or podiatric surgeons, plastic surgeons, microbiologists or infectious disease physicians, specialist nurses, psychologists, orthotists, and plaster technicians—all coordinated by a designated MDFT lead.
- Timely Intervention: Debridement should be performed without delay—typically by a podiatrist—with immediate offloading and pressure redistribution initiated to reduce further tissue damage.
- Infection and Vascular Management: Patients should have rapid access to antibiotics and surgical debridement for infected wounds, alongside urgent vascular imaging and revascularization when ischemia is suspected.
- Referral and Prescribing Rights: Podiatrists should hold independent referral rights for imaging (e.g., X-ray, MRI) and, where supported, prescribing authority. Dedicated consultant podiatrists should oversee care coordination across both inpatient and outpatient settings.
- Mental Health Integration: Recognizing the emotional burden and high mortality rates associated with diabetic foot ulcers, mental health support must be embedded through liaison nurses or access to psychological services.
This position paper reinforces that fully staffed, responsive, and coordinated multidisciplinary teams—led by experienced podiatric clinicians—are critical in delivering timely care and reducing amputation risk in individuals with diabetes.
Read the full position statement on the Diabetic Foot Journal website.
Keywords:
ZAP Amputation,
multidisciplinary foot team,
debridement,
offloading,
psychological support