NHS: Diabetes

Baroness Gardner of Parkes Excerpts

Thursday 26th May 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

My Lords, there are clear NICE guidelines on the use of insulin pumps and blood glucose monitoring equipment. For type 1 diabetes, NICE does not recommend their use unless there is clear evidence that the patient will comply with such use at least 70% of the time. The advice from NICE is clear on the use of both.

[Baroness Gardner of Parkes (Con)]

My Lords, is the Minister aware of the very conflicting reports in the press at the moment about whether you should be eating more fat or less fat, or more sugar or less sugar? Does he not think it important for the Department of Health to bring forward some clear guidelines for people to avoid them having to go in for treatment? As regards treatment, will he acknowledge the very important part played by the specialist nurses?

[Lord Prior of Brampton]

Public Health England has clear guidelines, published under The Eatwell Guide, on what makes a healthy diet. However, I agree with my noble friend that the position is now quite confused following the report that was published earlier this week. Confusion is not something we want and I am sure that when we produce the obesity strategy later this summer, we will make it very clear what those guidelines should be.