Health Story

03 December 2008 02:32 BST

NHS 'failing to diagnose diabetes'

NHS services are failing to diagnose people with Type 2 diabetes, a leading healthy charity has warned.

Diabetes UK claims that more than 500,000 people are being placed at risk of heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney failure and amputations as a result of the problem.

In comparing figures from Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) across the country, significant disparity was discovered by the charity.

Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: "Whilst some PCTs have done an excellent job in diagnosing Type 2 diabetes, it is extremely worrying that hundreds of thousands of people in other areas are going about their daily lives unaware they have a condition that puts them at greater risk of devastating complications.

"Type 2 diabetes can go undetected for up to 12 years. By the time they are diagnosed, around half of people with Type 2 diabetes already have evidence of complications. Early diagnosis is essential so people can start managing their condition and help reduce their risk of developing these complications."

Diabetes UK claims that in some areas of London diabetes diagnosis stands at 50 per cent, compared to the national average of 84 per cent.

People living in deprived communities are also said to be 2.5 times more likely to have diabetes.

The charity concludes that the NHS has not done enough to prioritise the early identification of diabetes but welcomed the government’s recent announcement that a vascular risk assessment and management programme will be introduced in England.