Diabetes 'out of control' in most parts of England

Warning that diabetes is 'out of control' in most of England, with 120 amputations a week, and those living in East London and West Suffolk faring worst for uncontrolled disease.

Diabetes is “out of control” in swathes of the country, with 120 limbs amputated a week and no areas in which treatment targets are being met, new statistics reveal. The data from Public Health England (PHE) shows that on average, just one in three patients have their blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol levels properly controlled.

Experts said the failings were alarming because uncontrolled disease can result in complications, such as amputations, blindness, kidney failure, and early death. Barbara Young, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: “It is deeply worrying that there is a postcode lottery in diabetes healthcare and also huge variation in the proportion of people who have their diabetes under control.”

She said she hoped the figures would act as a spur for the NHS and Government to draw up urgent plans to improve diabetes healthcare – but suggested she was not hopeful.

More than 70,000 deaths a year occur among those suffering from the condition - one in seven of all deaths.Patients with Type 2 diabetes are 36 per cent more likely to die in any given year than those of the same age without the condition.

Jeremy Hunt, Health Secretary, said: “We know that diabetes can have a devastating impact on people and we want everybody to get excellent care and support, regardless of where they live.

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While the NHS and DUK promote a diet almost guaranteed to cause diabetic complications in the long term no progress will ever be made.

Eddie