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Reports Damns 'State Of Crisis' In Diabetes Care

PA/The Huffington Post UK  |  Posted: 14/05/2012 10:15 Updated: 14/05/2012 10:15

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Diabetes

Diabetes care in England is in a "state of crisis" with less than half of people with the condition getting the basic minimum care, a report warns.

According to the State of the Nation 2012 report, published today by Diabetes UK, there are some areas where just 6% of people with diabetes are getting the regular checks and services recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice).

The report details how not getting these checks has helped fuel a rise in rates of diabetes-related complications such as amputation, blindness, kidney failure and stroke.

These complications account for about 80% of NHS spending on diabetes and are one of the main reasons that treating diabetes costs about 10% of the entire NHS budget, Diabetes UK said.

The report also shows that a National Service Framework for diabetes - setting out the healthcare which diabetes patients should get - has been in place for 11 years but has not become a reality.

Diabetes UK is calling on the Government to urgently deliver a plan to implement these standards.

Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: "We already know that diabetes is costing the NHS a colossal amount of money, but this report shows how in exchange for this investment we are getting second rate healthcare that is putting people with diabetes at increased risk of tragic complications and early death.

"Whether showing the number of children with Type 1 diabetes who are only diagnosed at accident and emergency or highlighting the thousands of preventable diabetes-related amputations performed every year, the report shows that diabetes healthcare has drifted into a state of crisis.

"It is a compelling case for change.

"Above all, the wide variation in standards of care shows the need for a national plan to be put in place for giving people with diabetes the kind of healthcare that can help prevent complications, as well as a greater focus on preventing Type 2 diabetes."

She added: "This kind of approach is the only way to prevent what is a looming national health disaster.
"With the number of people with diabetes rising so rapidly, unless urgent action is taken now, this rising tide threatens to sink the NHS."

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said: "There is still much to be done to help tackle diabetes and root out poor care.
"That is why we are working on a new long term conditions strategy with diabetes as an exemplar.

"Our focus is on prevention and education, with more done to get earlier diagnoses and to help people manage their conditions themselves.

"This report and our new strategy will help local NHS services act so that diabetics get the care they need and deserve."

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Diabetes care in England is in a "state of crisis" with less than half of people with the condition getting the basic minimum care, a report warns. According to the State of the Nation 2012 report,...
Diabetes care in England is in a "state of crisis" with less than half of people with the condition getting the basic minimum care, a report warns. According to the State of the Nation 2012 report,...
 
 
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farnsworth3
0 Fans
01:58 PM on 05/15/2012
My daughter has had type 1 diabetes for 13 years since she was 16. At first the care was very good and she attended the clinc regularly and had all the checks on her feet, sight etc. For the last three years the care has gone downhill. Appointments arrive in the post and are cancelled by the hospital the next day. This has happened three times which meant she didn't attend clinic for nine months. When she rang the receptionist urged her to complain as there were not enough diabetes dr's, consultants to cope with the amount of patients hence they overbook then cancel. its like a lottery. She was so fed up that she complained to the community nurse who was giving her a flu jab at the time. Now she goes to the local surgery and they test her blood, feet and send her for retinopothy screening. We live in North Wales and she should attend Wrexham Maelor hospital. I think its disgraceful.
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laurabirden
0 Fans
12:34 PM on 05/15/2012
I think it is probably a lottery. Somehow I got missed in the system for retina eye screening. It was only after the second time of complaining to the consultant that I got an appointment. I have had my feet checked once since living in the North Lincs area and am not sure whether I have had kidney checks. I have been diabetic for 28 years and just get on with it however when something unusual crops up then feel quite alone with the condition.
North Lincs are
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allansib
0 Fans
11:03 AM on 05/15/2012
I have been a type 1 diabetic for 50 years (diagnosed May 1962) and have always had top quality care, but then I am fortunate to attend a clinic at what is probably Britain's leading teaching and research hospital - Addenbrooke's in Cambridge.
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Rocking Rev
0 Fans
09:47 AM on 05/15/2012
Part of the problem lies in the system. You have to get certified, quite rightly, to do diabetes care. Many doctors do so out of their own pocket, and it is not cheap. However in spite of the fact that the practice gets extra money for the diabetes care they do, if you are a salaried GP and not a partner you will not see a penny of it. The partners keep it to themselves, even if they are not providing the diabetes care. Therefore instead of there being a plethora of well trained doctors in this field it is very hit and miss as to how many there are and their national distribution, because there is little incentive for salaried GP's to do the necessary certification.
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Dombeyandson
53 Fans
 
06:44 AM on 05/15/2012
I have been type 2 diabetic for about 10 years and have wonderful support from the Beta Cell at Queen Mary's University Hospital, Roehampton they cannot do enough for me and what is more other clinics I have to attend all liaise with one another. NHS good on yer. I'm sure it is a lot to do with personal efficiency and practise. The bad ones need to improve their game and that includes the Priamary Care Trusts as well. There will always be one inefficient indiviual that lets the side down and gives teh NHS a bad name but I have nothing but good to commend the organisation taht politicians always believe they can improve from the outside looking in. Well given the philosophy that those who fail at their chosen profession or career path often go into administration need I say more. After all if you are making a million as a lawyer or an accountant or as a doctor why become a politician [probably to make 2 million if you see what I mean]
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elek
138 Fans
09:26 AM on 05/15/2012
you dont know how lucky you are ! my mum is type 2 & the healthcare is AWFUL ! i get so frustrated basicaly watching someone getting worse :o( since diagnosis ( a few years now ) she has.nt even seen a dietician . she has no idea what to eat . how often . etc & i can certainly see her health changing . when it could be prevented ! she.s told to exercise . but when walking is hard ( due to a broken ankle a few years back & a injury to her other ankle too ) then it.s a problem :o( it.s a vicious circle . overweight = exercise more .... cant exercise = more overweight ! but also as she.s in her 70s now . i think her attitude ( a bad one i think ) is = why bother ? ! if i say anything . then i.m interferring :o( it.s deffo affecting my own health too . all the stress :o( so yes . your VERY lucky to have the care you need & get . if anyone has any helpfull info . please will you leave me a comment on here ? i would really appreciate it . i.m at a all time low ! thank you & all the best dombeyandson :o)
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Dombeyandson
53 Fans
 
11:06 AM on 05/15/2012
Not to be too unsimpathetic but it is certainly true that God helps those who help themselves. I don't and haven't seen a diatician more than once in the ten years but then I have played sports all my life so obvioulsy had that element of dietry knowhow. Listen to your body and regulate your glucose levels in response to the type of food that suits you and of corse regulate the amount of insulin your body needs. It isn't producing enough insulin so you ahve to intorduce it especially iof you eat food that is going to raise the sugar level. All food will produce sugar you have to control it. You cannot have a dietician live with you so self control and don't eat too much especially late at night - the liver produces sugar on the food you eat late at night and thus your reading will be high in the morning.
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checkettsdj
0 Fans
11:38 PM on 05/14/2012
My father is 77 and has been Type 1 diabetic for 37 years. He has received outstanding care from his nurses and consultants. When he was diagnosed all those years ago he thought like many "why me"? However after a few weeks he accepted it and got on with his life. He had recently been made redundant and so once he was stabalised re trained as a driving instructor and ran his own business for nearly 30 years. His secret, "Do as you are told" If you follow the advice of regular insulin injections(twice a day for 37 years and counting), good diet and good exercise you can live a relatively normal life. Last year his diabetes caused a condition diabetic ketoacidosis. A fantastic nurse noticed the signs just from a conversation over the phone and saved his life by getting him to hospital. I don't where this story came from, but poor diabetic care is not what we have found. My thanks go out to the hardworking doctors, nurses and consulants that have made sure I still have my dad, and I for one won't have a bad word said about them. Keep doing the fantastic job you do.
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userev9977
0 Fans
09:34 PM on 05/14/2012
Well my little neice as type1 her Mam gets loads of help from her nurse and get vists to the house, she was quite poorly the other day so they rang there nurse and she gave them a house visit i thought that was brilliant as you cant get to see your doctor that quick.
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seemysparkle
2 Fans
07:56 PM on 05/14/2012
my son is type 1, and have to say has a fantastic nurse, and has a team i can contact any time of day or night, the only trouble i've encountered is from the GP, getting prescriptions is sometimes a struggle to say the least!
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jsngeologist
0 Fans
07:08 PM on 05/14/2012
I am a type 2 diabetic and research scientist. When I realised that the treatment and medication I was getting was killling me rapidly, I decided to research the matter on the internet myself as a matter of extreme urgency. The answer is glaringly simple. Increased sugar in the blood acts as an osmotic dioretic in the klidney - In simple terms you pee a lot. YOU ALSO EXCRETE ALL OF THE ESSENTIAL WATER SOLUBLE MINERALS IN YOUR BLOOD AT AN ALARMING RATE THAT YOU CANNOT REPLACE BY DIET ALONE. THESE MINERALS CONTROL YOU BLOOD ELECTROLYTE LEVELS WITH WHITCH YOU CONTROL YOUR SUGAR. The solution is simple, take multivitamins especially chromium to boost insulin performance and vanadiumm to burn more sugar off. Next an antioxident catalyst which is found in dark skinned fruits like plums but the best are bilberries or blueberries as they have a MUCH smaller size and increase blood flow in the delicate capillaries of the eys, kidney and liver PREVENTING DISEASE. Keeping fit simply pumps the blood around faster and increases the speed of repair. Your blood cells replace themselves every three months so it's a bit like an oil change for a car. SIMPLE AND LOGICAL. The problem is that NO DOCTORS, RETINOLOGISTS OR RENAL 'specialists' are taught this in the UK yet is well known in the USA! I find this AMAZING!
Research it yourself - Google 'reversing diabetes' - and as Spock said 'Live long and prosper' I do!
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elek
138 Fans
09:32 AM on 05/15/2012
diabetes cannot be REVERSED !
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cecilteaspoon
2 Fans
 
12:15 PM on 05/15/2012
I don't know if what you're saying is true,i hope it is,but your logic is flawed.Obesity is the cause of type 2 diabetes and what you're saying totally depends on them losing weight and becoming fitter.
It seems people would rather face an early death rather than quit their indulgences or even give any sort of prolonged attempt at exercise,i think it's no different to smokers continuing to puff away knowing it's killing them.
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Jassyblue
1 Fans
06:47 PM on 05/14/2012
As a type 1 I have no complaints whatsoever. Have a fantastic diabetic nurse who is always contactable. Have an annual check up followed by a meeting with my lovely nurse to go through all the results of blood checks. I can honestly say that I cannot think of anything lacking in my care. Perhaps I'm just lucky.
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elek
138 Fans
09:32 AM on 05/15/2012
YES . you are VERY lucky !
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HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Fozwords
Abandon hope when you post on here
190 Fans
06:29 PM on 05/14/2012
Its diabolical, that sums it up.
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stjohnt6
10 Fans
05:30 PM on 05/14/2012
perhaps it's the old post code lottery 'cos as a type twoer i've had great treatment.
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elek
138 Fans
09:33 AM on 05/15/2012
well help me help my mum then please :o(
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elek
138 Fans
08:47 PM on 05/15/2012
well i really would appreciate some advice for my mum if you could pass some onto me ? thank you . elek :o)
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stjohnt6
10 Fans
09:07 PM on 05/15/2012
i would hope that you are getting help from your diabetic nurse.
i'm on a course of metformin hydrochloride x 4 a day, aspirin x 1 a day, gliclazide x 4 a day, lisinopril x q a day and simvastatin x1 a day all tablets and a injection of liraglutide x 1 a day.
hope this helps in some way.
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FLSeminole
0 Fans
05:28 PM on 05/14/2012
To cul8rsb: Check with someone who is qualified to explain your Vet Benefits -- I believe you are entitled to a special tax-free check because of the agent orange; do it today because it is NOT retroactive! You are entitled for serving. Good Luck!
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cul8rsb
54 Fans
05:07 PM on 05/14/2012
I have had diabetes since 1970, from Vietnam when uncle sam was so nice to spray me with agent orange. What a lovely gift for a 19 year old doing his duty after being drafted.
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