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Diabetes: Government and NHS too slow to act, say MPs | Diabetes: Government and NHS too slow to act, say MPs |
(about 3 hours later) | |
MPs have criticised the Department of Health and the NHS in England for being "too slow" to act in preventing and treating diabetes. | MPs have criticised the Department of Health and the NHS in England for being "too slow" to act in preventing and treating diabetes. |
A report by the Public Accounts Committee says variations in the care of both type 1 and 2 diabetes mean the annual cost to the health service will continue to rise. | A report by the Public Accounts Committee says variations in the care of both type 1 and 2 diabetes mean the annual cost to the health service will continue to rise. |
For people aged 16 and over the bill currently stands at £5.5bn a year. | For people aged 16 and over the bill currently stands at £5.5bn a year. |
An NHS England spokesman said "diabetes care [was] better than ever". | |
But he also said the obesity-fuelled jump in type 2 diabetes threatened to "overwhelm GP services". | |
"...[It] puts the spotlight firmly on the need for no-holds-barred national action on prevention by the NHS, government, employers, schools, and in particular the food industry," he added. | |
'Not keeping pace' | 'Not keeping pace' |
The committee said the number of adults in England with diabetes has risen to more than 3 million, and was going up by almost 5% every year. | The committee said the number of adults in England with diabetes has risen to more than 3 million, and was going up by almost 5% every year. |
The government and NHS England had portrayed an "unduly healthy picture" of the state of diabetes services, it added. | The government and NHS England had portrayed an "unduly healthy picture" of the state of diabetes services, it added. |
Most of the £5.5bn-a-year cost is spent on complications from diabetes, such as heart and kidney disease, blindness and nerve damage, leading to amputations. | Most of the £5.5bn-a-year cost is spent on complications from diabetes, such as heart and kidney disease, blindness and nerve damage, leading to amputations. |
These can be minimised by catching the disease early, and managing blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol. | These can be minimised by catching the disease early, and managing blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol. |
But the committee said that part of the problem was there were "unacceptable variations" in education, care and treatment of patients. | But the committee said that part of the problem was there were "unacceptable variations" in education, care and treatment of patients. |
Moreover, only 60% of patients receive the annual checks recommended to keep them healthy and prevent long-term complications. | Moreover, only 60% of patients receive the annual checks recommended to keep them healthy and prevent long-term complications. |
The report also said diabetes specialist staffing levels in hospitals "are not keeping pace" with the increasing percentage of beds occupied by diabetes patients. | The report also said diabetes specialist staffing levels in hospitals "are not keeping pace" with the increasing percentage of beds occupied by diabetes patients. |
'Targets not met' | 'Targets not met' |
It said: "The percentage of beds in acute hospitals in England occupied by people with diabetes continues to rise, from 14.8% in 2010 to 15.7% in 2013. | It said: "The percentage of beds in acute hospitals in England occupied by people with diabetes continues to rise, from 14.8% in 2010 to 15.7% in 2013. |
"However, the level of diabetic specialists has not significantly changed over this period. In 2013, nearly one-third of hospitals in England taking part in the audit had no diabetes inpatient specialist nurse and 6% did not have any consultant time for diabetes inpatient care. | "However, the level of diabetic specialists has not significantly changed over this period. In 2013, nearly one-third of hospitals in England taking part in the audit had no diabetes inpatient specialist nurse and 6% did not have any consultant time for diabetes inpatient care. |
"NHS England told us that an increase in nursing numbers isn't likely in the next year or two." | "NHS England told us that an increase in nursing numbers isn't likely in the next year or two." |
Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the committee, said: "The NHS and Department for Health have been too slow in tackling diabetes, both in prevention and treatment. | Meg Hillier, chairwoman of the committee, said: "The NHS and Department for Health have been too slow in tackling diabetes, both in prevention and treatment. |
"The number of people with diabetes is increasing, as is the number of patients who develop complications. It is a very serious condition that can have a huge impact on people's lives." | "The number of people with diabetes is increasing, as is the number of patients who develop complications. It is a very serious condition that can have a huge impact on people's lives." |
She said taxpayers must have confidence that support is available when and where they need it, "rather than by virtue of where they live". | She said taxpayers must have confidence that support is available when and where they need it, "rather than by virtue of where they live". |
What is diabetes? | What is diabetes? |
Source: WHO | Source: WHO |
The government has introduced a new NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme to try to limit the number of people developing type 2 diabetes. The programme will encourage people to lose weight and exercise. | The government has introduced a new NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme to try to limit the number of people developing type 2 diabetes. The programme will encourage people to lose weight and exercise. |
Being overweight is the main risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and 90% of adults with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. | Being overweight is the main risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and 90% of adults with type 2 diabetes are overweight or obese. |
But the committee said "by itself, this [the programme] will not be enough to stem the rising number of people with diabetes". | But the committee said "by itself, this [the programme] will not be enough to stem the rising number of people with diabetes". |
A Department of Health spokesman said "big improvements in diabetes care" had been made, but added: "Any variation in care, as this report highlights, is deeply concerning. | |
"That's why we are creating a national diabetes prevention programme, the first of its kind in the world, so that we help people avoid developing this devastating condition in the first place." |