Diabetes Specialist Podiatrist
Plymouth University, Plymouth, United Kingdom
Dr. Joanne Paton (in memoriam)
Dr. Joanne Paton was a highly valued member of the Prevention Working Group, until she unexpectedly passed away in the autumn of 2025. She has participated in the development of the clinical questions of the 2027 Prevention Guideline, and in honour of that work, and of her important work in this area in general, she remains acknowledged as a working group member for the 2027 prevention guideline on this site.
Dr. Joanne Paton was an Associate Professor in Podiatry who led the MSc Pre-Registration Podiatry Apprenticeship at the University of Plymouth. She was also Co-Director of the Torbay Clinical School. Joanne was an experienced podiatrist who clinically specialises in foot function and in-shoe pressure analysis to help prevent diabetic foot ulcers and improve patient care. Her work has been supported by two prestigious NIHR Fellowships.
In 2011, she founded the Behaviour Enhancement and Ulcer Prevention (BEUP) research group at the University of Plymouth. The BEUP team includes a wide range of professionals, from early-career researchers and to experienced clinicians Together, they work on projects that help people with diabetes stay mobile and reduce their risk of foot ulcers. The team has published widely on topics such as insoles, footwear, and the lived experiences of people with diabetes.
Joanne also contributed internationally as a member of the International Working Group for the Diabetic Foot. She helped develop the 2023 global guidelines for preventing foot ulcers in people with diabetes.
Her research is closely linked to clinical practice and aims to improve the everyday lives of people living with or at risk of diabetic foot ulceration.
