Diabetes UK is pleased to share the latest State of Diabetes Care in the UK report for 2009, with information gathered from a survey of over 16,000 of our members, other Diabetes UK surveys, Quality and Outcome Frameworks and National Diabetes Audit data.
Although there are some improvements in care, this report makes it very clear that there is still a long way to go before we can say that people with diabetes are receiving world-class care in all four nations of the UK.
Diabetes remains one of the biggest health challenges in the UK today, and we are still facing a huge increase in the number of people diagnosed with the condition. In the 14 years since I joined Diabetes UK, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes has increased from 1.4 million to 2.6 million, a prevalence of 4 per cent of the population. 15 per cent of the population are already living with impaired glucose regulation or prediabetes. So it is not surprising that, within another 15 years, it is estimated that over four million people will have diabetes in the UK.
Diabetes UK is doing all it can to increase awareness of diabetes and the seriousness of the condition. We continue to work to support people with diabetes to self-manage and improve access to high-quality integrated diabetes care services, as well as striving to raise awareness among those most at risk of the condition.
Our new objectives around quality care for all and healthy lifestyles are helping us focus our work on these areas.
This report highlights both the successes and failures of current diabetes care provision. It focuses on the need for early identification, the importance of supported self-management, the particular needs of children and young people, the gaps in service provision, and the issues associated with health inequalities.
It also calls for action to address these issues. Diabetes UK will continue to do that, lobbying for the best quality care for all people with diabetes throughout the four nations of the UK and working with others to see standards of care improve.
Simon O’Neill
Director of Care, Information and Advocacy
Diabetes UK
February 2010