Funded by NIHR, this project seeks to develop an inclusive ecosystem to advance research and innovation for the prevention of diabetic foot ulcers, with a focus on first ulcers. First ulcers provide a critical opportunity for intervention before progression to severe complications like amputation. However, research in this area is hindered by key gaps such as (1) A lack of current, geographically relevant data to inform research design and implementation and (2) Difficulty recruiting a representative sample of the diabetic population into studies. To address such barriers, we will take a community-engaged approach. Patients and regional stakeholders are actively participating to:

·       Generate an up-to-date baseline dataset on diabetic foot health in our local context. This can inform future research priorities and feasibility.

·       Co-produce recommendations to improve real-world recruitment, data collection, and data sharing in an ethical, pragmatic way.

By emphasising first ulcers and leveraging stakeholder perspectives, this project will establish our region as a leader in this crucial but understudied field. The outcomes can provide a framework to advance research nationally and prevent devastating complications through early intervention. Most importantly, our community-centred process will ensure the ecosystem and resulting innovations are robust, effective, and inclusive for the patients who need them most.