Diabetes is serious

The coronavirus pandemic has been difficult for us all, but it has been particularly challenging for people living with diabetes.

New figures highlighted by Diabetes UK this week show that almost 2.5 million people with diabetes in England did not get all their recommended checks last year. These checks are essential to reducing the risk of serious complications such as blindness, heart disease, kidney disease, amputations, and poor pregnancy outcomes. Coronavirus has also highlighted just how serious diabetes is as an underlying condition, with people with diabetes accounting for one in three deaths in England during the first wave of the pandemic. Diabetes can’t wait. It is one of our fastest-growing health crises, with one in 14 people living with diabetes in the UK. We want to see UK Government invest more in diabetes care and prevention as the country rebuilds from the pandemic – and as part of our new campaign, Diabetes Is Serious, we are asking people to sign our open letter to the new health secretary, Sajid Javid, to ask him to make sure diabetes is a priority.

The NHS has been stretched and staff have worked tirelessly to keep us safe throughout the pandemic. What we need is Government action to support

our health system in these uncertain times – to ensure people living with diabetes get the vital care they need.

To find out more and to sign our letter to the Secretary of State for Health, visit: www.diabetes. org.uk/DiabetesIsSerious.

Peter Shorrick Midlands and east regional head

Diabetes UK