NHS Patient Information
Type 2 diabetes, foot problems.
National Health Service
Diabetic Foot Clinic
Diabetes can damage the nerves (neuropathy), the small blood vessels (microvascular disease) and the larger arteries (peripheral arterial disease) of the lower limb. When the three overlap, a small foot injury that a non-diabetic patient would barely notice can turn into a serious wound, infection or, in the worst cases, a Charcot foot or amputation.
KONCEPT® runs a dedicated diabetic foot clinic at our Kingston upon Thames clinic, led by Mr Magdy Moawad, Consultant Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon and Diabetic Foot Lead, supported by a multidisciplinary team that includes a HCPC-registered Podiatrist and a Tissue Viability Nurse. Our aim is to assess the foot properly, classify risk, treat any active problem and put a clear prevention plan in place.
At a glance
Lead clinician
Mr Moawad
First visit
30 to 45-min consult
Diagnostic adjuncts
ABPI + duplex
Initial consult
£295
Verified statistics
Drawn from NHS, NICE NG19, the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF) 2023 guidelines, Diabetes UK and peer-reviewed publications. Every figure links to its citation in the References section at the bottom of this page.
How common diabetic foot problems are
19-34%
lifetime risk of diabetic foot ulcer in a person with diabetes
Armstrong DG et al., NEJM 2017[7]
Outcomes after structured multidisciplinary care
60-70%
diabetic foot ulcer 12-month healing rate with structured multidisciplinary care
IWGDF guidelines[3]
Yearly
minimum frequency for a NICE-recommended diabetic foot check (more often for higher-risk feet)
NICE NG19[2]
The term “diabetic foot” covers the range of foot problems that develop when diabetes affects three systems together[1][2][3]:
When one or more of these are present, the foot is at risk. The job of the diabetic foot clinic is to find out which systems are affected, classify the risk, and act on it.
Who needs assessment
Any adult with diabetes benefits from a structured foot assessment. We see patients in three broad situations:
Risk categories
NICE NG19 categorises diabetic feet by risk[2]:
No neuropathy, no PAD, no other risk factor. Annual check recommended.
One risk factor present (neuropathy or PAD or deformity). Review every 3 to 6 months.
Prior ulcer, prior amputation, multiple risk factors, or unable to self-care. Review every 1 to 3 months.
Current ulcer, infection, Charcot foot, gangrene, or unexplained foot pain. Urgent assessment.
Assessment
The diabetic foot pathway at KONCEPT® combines vascular consultant assessment with hands-on podiatry. Our standard work-up[1][2][3]:
Where there is an active problem, we add wound assessment, wound swab, infection management, onward imaging by referral to a local diagnostic centre where indicated, and urgent escalation for revascularisation or specialist input.
Initial diabetic foot consultation with clinical assessment is £295. Where a duplex scan is added, please see the pricing page for the full schedule.
Active problems
A diabetic foot ulcer is the most common active diabetic foot problem we see. The combination of reduced sensation, altered foot shape and impaired circulation means a small injury can grow into a chronic, infected wound.
Management follows the IWGDF framework[3]:
If your ulcer also has a venous component, the pathway flows to our Leg ulcer service.
Charcot neuroarthropathy is a serious complication where the bones and joints of the foot collapse and reshape because the patient cannot feel the damage happening. It typically presents with a hot, red, swollen foot in a person with diabetic neuropathy, often without significant pain.
Charcot foot is a medical urgency. Walking on a Charcot foot accelerates the damage. If you have diabetes and your foot is unexpectedly warmer, redder or more swollen than the other side, call 020 8129 1011 or attend urgent care. We assess, immobilise and refer urgently for imaging and specialist orthopaedic input.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the legs and feet caused by long-term raised blood glucose. It typically starts in the toes and works upward (the “stocking” distribution) and can cause numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of position sense.
It is the most important single risk factor for diabetic foot ulceration, because the patient cannot feel the small injuries that cause ulcers. Our assessment uses 10g monofilament testing at the NICE reference sites and vibration sense, the same tools used in NHS structured education.
A diabetic foot infection can spread rapidly because of impaired immunity and circulation. Warning signs include increasing pain, swelling, warmth, redness, smell, or a wound that looks worse rather than better.
Our pathway:
Management
Most diabetic foot problems are preventable[2][3][4]. After your assessment we agree a written plan covering:
First visit
For full pre-care and post-care instructions, see our Patient instructions page. Diabetic foot sits in its own pathway in that guide.
You receive a written quote before any treatment is booked.
Insurance
Diabetic foot assessment and treatment is recognised by most major UK private medical insurers when there is a clinical indication, particularly where there is active ulceration, suspected Charcot foot, or symptomatic PAD. Cover for ongoing podiatry, wound care and compression varies by policy.
Recognition at KONCEPT® is at both clinic and consultant level, and cover is expanding. Call 020 8129 1011 with your insurer and policy details and we will come back to you within one working day with confirmation, before any appointment is booked.
Read more on the Insurance & access page →
Your consultant and team
Mr Magdy Moawad, Consultant Vascular & Endovascular Surgeon, GMC 4668576, leads the diabetic foot service. Mr Moawad is on the GMC Specialist Register for Vascular Surgery, holds a substantive NHS consultant post at St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, is a Platinum BUPA Consultant, and sees private patients here on a practice-privileges basis.
He is supported by an HCPC-registered Podiatrist who runs day-to-day diabetic foot care, a Tissue Viability Nurse (NMC registered) for any active wound, and a compression specialist where there is a venous component.
FAQs
The “diabetic foot” describes the range of foot problems that develop when diabetes affects the nerves, the small blood vessels and the large arteries of the lower limb. The combination can turn a small injury into a serious wound, infection or, in the worst cases, a Charcot foot or amputation. A structured assessment finds out which systems are affected and what to do about it.
Long-term raised blood glucose damages the nerves (peripheral neuropathy), the small blood vessels (microvascular disease) and the larger arteries (peripheral arterial disease) of the foot. When sensation is reduced, the patient cannot feel small injuries, and when circulation is reduced, those injuries do not heal well. Pressure points, callus and poorly-fitting footwear add a mechanical layer to the problem.
A diabetic foot check is a structured assessment of the skin, nails, sensation (monofilament and vibration), circulation (foot pulses and ABPI) and footwear. NICE NG19 recommends every adult with diabetes has at least an annual foot check, more often for higher-risk feet.
At least annually for low-risk feet. Moderate-risk feet are usually reviewed every 3 to 6 months, high-risk feet every 1 to 3 months, and any active foot problem needs urgent assessment within hours to days depending on the problem.
Warning signs include numbness, tingling or burning in the feet, loss of sensation, foot pain, a new wound or ulcer, redness or warmth in one part of the foot, change in foot shape, a hot, swollen foot (possible Charcot), or rest pain (possible PAD). Any of these in a person with diabetes should be assessed promptly.
Diabetic foot ulcer management follows the IWGDF framework: take pressure off the wound (offloading), prepare the wound bed (debridement, exudate management, dressing), treat infection where present, treat the underlying cause (especially any PAD component), and optimise glucose control. Healing rates with structured multidisciplinary care are 60-70% at 12 months.
Charcot foot (Charcot neuroarthropathy) is a serious complication where the bones and joints of the foot collapse and reshape because the patient cannot feel the damage happening. The classic presentation is a hot, red, swollen foot in a person with diabetic neuropathy, often without significant pain. Charcot foot is a medical urgency, walking on a Charcot foot accelerates the damage. Call 020 8129 1011 or attend urgent care.
Diabetic peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage in the legs and feet caused by long-term raised blood glucose. It typically starts in the toes and works upward (the “stocking” distribution) and can cause numbness, tingling, burning, or loss of position sense. It is the single most important risk factor for diabetic foot ulceration because the patient cannot feel the small injuries that lead to ulcers.
Most diabetic foot problems benefit from both. The vascular surgeon assesses circulation, neuropathy and the underlying systemic disease, and treats any vascular component. The podiatrist provides the day-to-day foot care, callus management, offloading and footwear advice. At KONCEPT® both work as one team.
Yes. With structured multidisciplinary care, 60-70% of diabetic foot ulcers heal within 12 months. The most important factors are early assessment, treatment of any PAD component, proper offloading and good wound care.
It is rare and largely preventable. Around 85% of major lower-limb amputations in diabetes are preceded by a foot ulcer, which means the path to amputation almost always passes through a treatable wound first. Early assessment and structured care substantially reduce that risk.
Most major UK private medical insurers cover diabetic foot assessment and treatment where there is a clinical indication, particularly for active ulceration, suspected Charcot foot or symptomatic PAD. Cover for ongoing podiatry and wound care varies by policy. Call 020 8129 1011 with your insurer and policy details before booking.
For self-pay, no, you can book directly. Most insurers also allow direct booking. A small number still require a GP referral letter, we will confirm what your insurer needs when you enquire.
The first appointment is 30 to 45 minutes with Mr Moawad, plus any duplex ultrasound and ABPI on the same visit. Allow 60 to 90 minutes for your visit including arrival, reception and the scan.
Surrey catchment also includes Esher, Cobham, Weybridge, Walton-on-Thames, Oxshott and Hampton.
Related vascular services
To book a diabetic foot consultation with Mr Magdy Moawad, our Diabetic Foot Lead, or to discuss your case, get in touch.
Email info@konceptmedicalclinic.com · Visit 46-48 Wood Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1UW · See full self-pay pricing →
Regulation and standards
KONCEPT® Medical Clinic is registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) for the regulated activities provided at our Kingston upon Thames premises. Mr Magdy Moawad is on the General Medical Council (GMC) Specialist Register for Vascular Surgery and remains personally accountable to the GMC under Good Medical Practice. Allied-health clinicians supporting the diabetic foot service are registered with their relevant professional bodies (HCPC for podiatrists, NMC for the Tissue Viability Nurse). Information on this page is written to be factual and verifiable in line with the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code and Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rules for medical advertising.
Claims about prevalence, risk classification, diagnosis, management and outcomes on this page are drawn from NHS, NICE, the International Working Group on the Diabetic Foot (IWGDF), Diabetes UK and peer-reviewed publications. Each source is linked for verification.
Type 2 diabetes, foot problems.
National Health Service
Diabetic foot problems, prevention and management (NG19).
NICE, August 2015, last updated 2019
IWGDF Practical Guidelines on the prevention and management of diabetes-related foot disease.
IWGDF 2023 Update
Diabetes and your feet.
Diabetes UK
Quality Standard QS6, Diabetes in adults.
NICE, March 2011, last updated 2023
Quality Standard QS167, Lower limb peripheral arterial disease.
NICE, August 2018
Diabetic foot ulcers and their recurrence.
New England Journal of Medicine 2017, 376(24), 2367-2375
Management of Chronic Venous Disease, Clinical Practice Guidelines of the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS).
European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery 2015, 49(6), 678-737
National Diabetes Foot Care Audit (NDFA).
RCP
Consent, Supported Decision-Making, A Guide to Good Practice.
RCS England, 2018
Last clinical review: Dr Maryam Attarzadeh, Medical Director (GMC 7193218), 2026-05-28. Next review due: 2026-11-28. Statistical claims are re-verified every 6 months, or sooner if peer-reviewed evidence changes.