A REVOLUTIONARY piece of medical equipment designed to reduce the number of amputations needed by people with diabetes has been gifted to GP practices in Helensburgh and Garelochhead.

The equipment – known as Mesi ABPI MD – has been donated by Helensburgh Garelochside Rotary to both practices in the town, and will also be available to patients in Garelochhead.

The new equipment, which is lightweight and simple to use, will be a major tool in reducing the number of unnecessary amputations.

It is designed to speed up the assessment of the Ankle Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI), and both practices will be leading the field in this area thanks to the generous support of the Rotary club.

The ABPI is a comparison of the blood pressure in the arm with the blood pressure in the ankles.

Traditionally, it is measured with an inflatable cuff and a stethoscope after resting a patient for 20 minutes.

The whole process takes about an hour, but with this new device the measurements are taken, and accurate results returned, within a couple of minutes, saving both time and money for the practices.

In a joint statement, Dr McLachlan and partners and the Millig Practice said: “We are delighted that the Rotary Club of Helensburgh Garelochside have very kindly gifted us an ABPI machine to be used by both practices.

“This machine allows us to carry out an accurate vascular assessment for patients with chronic diseases in a much speedier time.

“Its diagnostic capabilities are much greater than machines we have used in the past.

“This also allows us to find out if our patients have other conditions that we wouldn’t detect as quickly.”

Rotary club president Norman Quirk said: “We are delighted to be able to donate this equipment which will be used for the benefit of more than 20,000 patients of the three GP practices in our immediate area.

“Our fundraising events, in particular Santa’s grotto, Phoenix Choir concert and the Board Walk, have long been supported by people and businesses in the area and we feel that it is only right that money raised locally should be spent locally.

“Without doubt This piece of equipment is a major step forward in the delivery of speedy and accurate diagnosis of lower limb peripheral arterial disease.”

The donation comes as shocking statistics released by Diabetes UK reveal that 20 diabetes-related amputations are being performed in England every day. The annual number of diabetes-related amputations in England is now 7,370 a year, compared to the previous figure of 7,042.

It is estimated that up to 80 per cent of diabetes-related amputations are preventable.

Diabetes Scotland do not currently have equivalent figures for how many amputations are performed daily or annually in Scotland. However, they told the Advertiser that in 2016 there were 2,055 people living with diabetes in Scotland who had had lower limb amputations.

A spokesperson for Diabetes Scotland said: “Everyone with diabetes should take care of their feet and get regular check ups as early detection of potential problems can help avoid serious complications including amputations.

“The gift of equipment that makes these checks quicker and easier for health professionals and patients is very welcome and makes a positive impact on care.”