Clinic named after doctor who saved patients from amputation

13 December 2021 - Former England footballer Gary Mabbutt MBE, whose leg was saved by the clinic, honoured Professor Michael Edmonds

The pioneering diabetic foot clinic at King’s College Hospital has been refurbished and re-named after Professor Michael Edmonds, the doctor who established the clinic and saved thousands of people with diabetes from foot and leg amputations.

In 1981, Professor Edmonds created the world’s first dedicated multidisciplinary diabetic foot service at King’s. The Consultant Diabetologist brought together specialists in diabetes, podiatry, vascular surgery, orthopaedics, radiology and other clinical services to deliver world-class care to patients with foot ulcers resulting from diabetes.

Just two years after the service was established, there was a 50 per cent reduction in patients requiring lower limb amputation at King’s. This marked reduction was acknowledged by the World Health Organisation and the International Diabetes Federation, and the service at King’s became the model of care for foot services all over the world with overseas clinicians visiting Professor Edmonds and his team to learn how to establish similar clinics in their home countries.

Over the years, lower limb amputation rates at King’s have continued to fall. The hospital now sees around 9,000 diabetic foot patients each year, and it has an amputation rate of just 0.9 per cent, lower than the national average of 1.6 per cent.

Diabetic foot ulcers can form due to a range of factors such as lack of feeling in the foot, poor circulation, friction and trauma.

At a ceremony to mark the re-naming of the clinic, former Tottenham Hotspur and England footballer, and Honorary Vice President of Diabetes UK, Gary Mabbutt, who has been treated by Professor Edmonds, unveiled the new plaque and paid tribute to his hard work, dedication and modesty.

Gary Mabbutt said: “Mike is one of the most unassuming, modest and caring people I have ever met. There is an endless list of commendations and awards he has received throughout his distinguished career. The diabetic foot clinic at King’s is widely accepted as the ideal model of care throughout the world, which is something Mike has to take huge credit for putting in place. I sincerely hope that his incredible work at King’s can be replicated across the county to lower the 80% of avoidable amputations in people living with diabetes.”