Diabetes-related Complications Debate
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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick
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Diabetes-related Complications
Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Excerpts(8 years, 6 months ago)
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Paula Sherriff (Dewsbury) (Lab)
I beg to move,
That this House has considered diabetes-related complications.
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Pritchard. I am particularly pleased to have secured a debate on this topic because of its profound importance to all those with diabetes, and because support for those with long-term conditions is vital to the future of the NHS.
There are 4 million people living with diabetes in the UK today, and it is estimated that more than half a million people are undiagnosed, living with the condition without being aware they have it. Since 1996, the number of people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK has more than doubled, from 1.4 million to almost 3.5 million. About 700 people a day are diagnosed with diabetes, which is the equivalent of one person every two minutes. The NHS spends about £10 billion on diabetes every single year, which equals around 10% of its budget. Critically, it is estimated that 80% of that cost is spent on complications that are largely avoidable through better care.
Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP)
I congratulate the hon. Lady on securing this important debate. She referred to the fact that 80% of NHS spending on diabetes is on avoidable complications. Does she agree that a greater focus on early intervention is needed, to ensure that the budget, resources and staffing are better targeted?
Paula Sherriff
I thank the hon. Lady for her intervention, and I absolutely agree. As with so many other conditions, early intervention is crucial.
The total direct and indirect costs associated with diabetes in the UK are estimated at £23.7 billion. That is predicted to rise to £39.8 billion by 2035. Earlier this year, the Public Accounts Committee said that the cost of diabetes to the NHS would continue to rise.