Act now to reverse growing number of diabetics

Doctors and diabetes prevention experts in Plymouth hosted a summit in the city on Saturday in a bid to reverse the growing number of diabetics in the city and surrounding areas.

Figures from Public Health England suggest that unless something is done soon Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon could see an estimated 6,000 more people suffering from diabetes in the next 15 years.

Currently about 1 in 15 people in Plymouth and the surrounding area have the condition, but this could rise to 1 in 13 by 2030. The national picture is worse with 1 in 14 currently suffering from diabetes, expected to rise to 1 in 11 by 2030.

Northern, Eastern and Western Devon Clinical Commissioning Group (NEW Devon CCG) ran a diabetes education summit in partnership with local health and social care organisations, such as Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust and Sentinel Health and Wellbeing.

Dr Gary Lenden, a GP from Plymouth and clinical lead for diabetes for the Western Locality of NEW Devon CCG, said he hoped the event would make a difference.

“By bringing organisations with an interest in diabetes together in this way we will be able share learning and look at ways we can reverse growing trend of people with diabetes,” he said.

“We really need to act now or by 2030 about 6,000 more people could have the condition, which will in turn place added strain on the whole healthcare system.

“For those people who have diabetes we want to make sure they have the right level of education to make sure their condition doesn’t get worse. It’s worrying that about 2,000 people in Plymouth, South Hams and West Devon haven’t yet had an opportunity to get this education.

“This is particularly important as diabetes can lead to amputations, up to 80 per cent of which are preventable.”

Dr Patrick English, consultant in diabetes at Derriford Hospital, said: “The Western Locality receives around 150 new diabetes referrals each month, the vast majority of which are type 2.

“Education and enabling patients to better understand and self-manage their condition is the cornerstone of good treatment.

“Therefore, it is incredibly positive that we are able to provide a structured education service to those patients with type 2 diabetes and hopefully lead the way to better outcomes.”