Type 1 Diabetes: Infant Testing Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department of Health and Social Care
Melanie Onn
Main Page: Melanie Onn (Labour - Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes)Department Debates - View all Melanie Onn's debates with the Department of Health and Social Care
(1 day, 9 hours ago)
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Irene Campbell
I thank the hon. Member for raising that important point. I look forward to the Minister’s response.
The rapid finger-prick glucose test is readily available and can be administered quite easily.
Melanie Onn (Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes) (Lab)
My hon. Friend is laying out, in a very careful and considered way, the importance of the screening process and the ease with which it can be implemented to avoid more tragic stories like Lyla’s. Does she agree that mandatory screening is essential, because most children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes have no family history of the condition, and it would be the quickest and easiest way to ensure that we do not have any more unnecessary tragedies?
Irene Campbell
I thank my hon. Friend for raising that important point. Again, I refer to the Minister’s response. This is a very important issue, and it is crucial that we get it right.
There can be barriers to diagnosis if there is the appearance of another illness, such as a cold or tonsillitis, that can make diabetes more difficult to recognise. Young children are often unable to fully express themselves in relation to symptoms, which can be problematic. There must be more awareness of that possibility. Tragically, as we have heard today, some cases can be missed.
The RCGP said that a GP may not ever see another child in their practice with undiagnosed type 1 diabetes, and that it is a rare occurrence. Time pressures were also commented on. The appointment length is inadequate to deal with potentially more complex issues. As GPs look for the most common diseases in the first instance, they might not think that a glucose test is necessary. It is important to highlight the fact that GPs have the broadest medical specialty. However, the recent RCGP survey found that 64% of members say they do not have enough time to undertake training or continuing professional development alongside their practice work. In addition, the average GP cares for more than 2,300 patients, which is 16% more patients than in 2015, and in deprived communities that figure is significantly higher.