Scotland

Over 200,000 people in Scotland have been diagnosed with diabetes and tens of thousands have the condition but don’t know it yet.

Diabetes UK Scotland is the leading charity working for people with diabetes in Scotland - funding research, campaigning, influencing and providing care and support for people living with the condition.

Our new home

Diabetes UK Scotland moved to a new office in October 2008.

Our work in 2009: building on a successful year

The past year

2008 has seen many positive developments for Diabetes UK Scotland and for people with diabetes generally.

In January, we submitted a petition to the Scottish Parliament on the provision of structured education for people with diabetes. The petition has opened up new channels to make our case for support for self management and we hope to see it baring some fruit in 2009.

In March we launched a collaborative report with NHS Quality Improvement Scotland on the quality of diabetes care in Scotland.

The report was the first of its kind in Scotland and demonstrated a commitment to working in partnership.

In July we secured a charity partnership with Dundee’s Overgate Centre, which will offer not only opportunities to raise funds for our work but build our profile in a city which has often been at the heart of diabetes developments in Scotland.

In September we were involved for the first time with Pedal 4 Scotland Glasgow to Edinburgh bike ride raising funds and promoting a key message on the importance of physical activity.

And in the last quarter of the year, we co-hosted another successful professional conference with the Scottish Government and ABPI Scotland, had record numbers at our annual volunteer conference and, as we have done over the past few years, held an event to thank all of our supporters for their hard work and commitment.

The year to come

2009, therefore, is a chance to build on that achievement and the momentum it brings. We will focus on ensuring that the Scottish Diabetes Action Plan (2006-2009) becomes the starting point for the next phase of improving services. We will focus on discrimination and marginalised groups to help make a difference where sometimes it is hardest to do so.

We will work in partnership with other interests in the cardiovascular field to build a strong alliance for prevention and health improvement.

2009, of course, is Diabetes UK’s 75th Anniversary year. It’s also the national Year of Homecoming in Scotland and the 10th anniversary of the Scottish Parliament. We fully intend to use these markers to get our messages across and continue to help improve life for people with diabetes across Scotland.