The study will look at ulcers in diabetic patients

A Nottingham hospital is spending �800,000 to study the causes and treatment of ulcers caused by diabetes.

Two grants from the Department of Health will pay for the research into foot ulcers at Nottingham City Hospital, said Dr William Jeffcoate, who is organising the study.

The City Hospital treats 200 new patients who have foot ulcers associated with diabetes every year, he said.

Dr Jeffcoate said the ulcers can be cripplingly painful and difficult to treat as only one-third heal within three months.

Painful condition

Kim Parkes, a foot ulcer patient, said: "The pain is fairly bad, but the ulcers mean you have to stay off your feet and can stop you from walking."

Amputation is the only remedy in some cases.

The studies will look at different types of dressing to see which ones are the most effective and what sort of patient is most affected by ulcers.

Patients groups will be involved in the research which will last for three years.