NHS diabetes services in England are failing to deliver consistently high standards of care, according to a report written by a group of cross-party MPs. Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes (APPGD) are calling for government action to prevent people with diabetes from developing complications that could be avoided with the correct standard of care.
The report, Delivering Better Diabetes Outcomes in the New NHS, reveals great variation in standards of care across England, with up to half of all people with diabetes not receiving nine annual checks as recommended by NICE. In the absence of such care, people with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing complications such as blindness, stroke and lower limb amputation.
In an effort to standardise services across the country, the MPs have recommended a national implementation plan within their report, which places a greater emphasis on integrated care, prevention, earlier diagnosis, and education for both healthcare professionals and individuals with diabetes. The report also appeals for increased government funding to support medical research into type 1 diabetes.
Pressure is being placed on the government following the publication of its response to the recent Public Accounts Committee report, which also highlighted the poor quality of diabetes care.
Barbara Young, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: “Time and time again we hear about the depressingly poor state of diabetes healthcare, yet we are still waiting to hear how the government intends to deal with what is fast becoming a crisis. The government must designate diabetes as a priority and commit to ensuring everyone with diabetes gets good-quality care so that they can live long, healthy lives. This is why we welcome the APPGD’s call for a national implementation plan for improved diabetes care.”
