Today the government has published its 10-Year Health Plan, setting out its ambition to rebuild the NHS and bring care closer to home. They have committed to shift from hospital to community; analogue to digital; and sickness to prevention, to tackle the challenges set out in the Independent Review of the NHS last year.
Ahead of the Plan being published, we launched a 10 Year Vision for Diabetes Prevention, Care and Treatment, calling for bold action to ensure everyone receives the best possible care to live well with diabetes, prevent serious complications and tackle inequity in access to services and health outcomes. Thousands of campaigners and supporters joined us in asking the government to deliver improvements in diabetes care, and we are glad to see positive steps put forward in the Plan.
Improving long-term health outcomes
We highlighted that people with diabetes account for almost 30% of deaths from cardiovascular disease (CVD), so we are very pleased the government has committed to a CVD Modern Service Framework – a strategy to drive up equity and reduce the harm from diabetes and other related conditions. Diabetes must be at the core of this framework, and the government must hold local health systems to account to deliver improvements in care and better outcomes for people with diabetes and CVD complications. There should be clear metrics and milestones built into the framework and mechanisms to ensure meaningful feedback.
Delivering care closer to home
The 10-Year Health Plan promises to deliver a Neighbourhood Health Service, with services under one roof and available six days a week. For people with diabetes, we want to see this offering joined up, person-centred care, that recognises the complexity of managing a long-term condition. We welcome the commitment to tackle variation in diabetes essential care and improve the prevention of complications through new delivery models in neighbourhood health services.
Many people with diabetes rely on specialist care currently delivered by hospital-based teams, so as more services are brought into the community, it’s vital that access to specialist skills and knowledge is available, through community-based diabetes specialists to support delivery of the best care and early intervention to manage complications in everyone who needs it.
Harnessing technology
The government has rightly recognised the transformational impact of wearable diabetes technology, like continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and hybrid-closed loop. As these are rolled out more widely, we must ensure everyone who can benefit from tech has access, with an ongoing focus on driving up equity for people regardless of their race or background.
The shift towards a more digital NHS has the potential to deliver a joined-up service that supports people to manage their condition through access to their own health records and information through the NHS App. Healthcare professionals should have more time to focus on people who need the most support and be able to work more closely together and share information more easily so that people don’t miss important tests and appointments or have to unnecessarily repeat them.
Partnering with charities like Diabetes UK
A diabetes diagnosis is life-changing, but the right support at the right time can set people up to live well with the condition. That’s why we are delighted to see the government commit to partner with charities to deliver the formal support that helps people with a new diagnosis manage their condition. Working with the government, we are ready to reach more people with targeted, tailored support as soon as possible when they are diagnosed with diabetes.
Stopping the rise in type 2 diabetes
The causes of type 2 diabetes are complex, but living with obesity increases the risk of developing the condition. We therefore welcome the government’s steps to prevent and treat obesity. We want to see the promised legislation to make healthy food more affordable and accessible, with supermarkets and other food companies mandated to report on healthy sales and meet targets, implemented as soon as possible. The roll out of new weight loss medications is also an important tool to support people to maintain a healthy weight, and we want to see this delivered at pace to all who can benefit, alongside wraparound support. With 1 in 5 people in the UK now living with diabetes or prediabetes, the government must maintain a focus on creating a healthier environment and supporting people to reduce their risk of type 2 diabetes.
Colette Marshall, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said:
“The 10-Year Health Plan for England could chart a new course in the Government’s ambition to improve the nation’s health. One in five people are now living with diabetes or prediabetes, so there is an urgent need to address the diabetes crisis – and we look forward to working with the Government and NHS to deliver on their commitments.
"People with diabetes account for almost a third of cardiovascular deaths in England, so the CVD service framework could be a powerful tool to reduce the devastating impact of diabetes complications. We welcome the pledge to partner with charities to support people newly diagnosed with a health condition, and will share our expertise to ensure people with all types of diabetes can benefit. The Government has also set an ambitious goal to turn the tide on obesity, so it is vital that legislation is implemented, and treatments are rolled out at pace, to reduce the number of people developing type 2 diabetes.
"Diabetes is serious and it can be a gateway to further life-altering, long-term conditions. Fully realised, the 10-Year Health Plan could transform diabetes care and drastically improve the health of our communities.”
