It is with deep sadness that FDUK (Foot in Diabetes UK) has learnt of the recent passing of Dr Bob Young. Bob worked as Diabetes Consultant at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust and was the National Diabetes Audit (NDA) Lead.
Throughout his career, Bob showed a great awareness and concern for people with diabetes, including those with foot problems. The National Diabetes Foot Care Audit (NDFA) was amongst the several specific audits, supported by the NDA.
Poignantly, it was only in June of this year (2024) that Bob gave an excellent lecture on the many lessons learned from the NDFA at the Royal Society of Medicine “Update on the Diabetic Foot” meeting. In particular, Bob demonstrated that benchmarking was possible and could be a driving force in improving the outlook for people with diabetes and foot problems. Indeed, it would facilitate a reduction in the variations of outcomes of care. At that meeting, Bob also expressed strong support for the diabetic foot service, both in hospital and community, and emphasised, in his own words that “podiatry was crucial to this whole enterprise”.
The whole of the diabetes community, both national and international, stand in awe and gratitude for the dedication which Bob devoted to the NDA, including the NDFA, which has saved may limbs and lives.
On behalf of FDUK, we send our deepest sympathies to his family and loved ones.
