We are working with key stakeholders, including the national diabetes support team, on a range of initiatives to support the NHS in improving diabetes care. We particularly recognise the valuable role that diabetes specialist nurses play in supporting people with diabetes. In March 2008, the national diabetes support team published “Improving emergency and inpatient care for people with diabetes”, which highlights the importance of the diabetes specialist team, including the specialist nurses.
I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that response. Is she aware that Friday 14 November is world diabetes day? Will she mark that day by taking up the concerns expressed by Diabetes UK about the patchwork of provision that exists across the country for this illness, which costs the NHS £1 million an hour?
Yes, of course. World diabetes day is on 14 November, and this year its theme is diabetes in children and adolescents. I am pleased to say that I shall speak at the Diabetes UK parliamentary reception on Tuesday 18 November.
By 2025, there will be an estimated 4 million people with diabetes, yet Diabetes UK has already received reports of cuts in services. What plans does the Minister have to ensure that people with diabetes have the support that they need in order to prevent the serious complications that can result from poor diabetes management?
We are in constant touch with Diabetes UK and, in particular, with its support teams working on the “Silent Assassin” campaign, which was launched on 6 October. The campaign highlights the fact that diabetes is a very serious condition that causes heart disease, stroke, amputations, kidney failure and blindness. The advertising campaign includes a series of outdoor posters as well as newspaper and consumer magazine advertising. The Department will continue to work with Diabetes UK and to encourage all primary care trusts, and the NHS in general, to continue to work on this very important issue.
Is my hon. Friend aware of the Apnee Sehat programme that has been introduced in Warwickshire by Dr. Shirine Boardman? It particularly addresses the concerns of the Asian community, whose traditional cooking methods and dietary habits contribute to the very high incidence of diabetes in that community. Will she encourage other PCTs to consider such schemes as well?
I welcome my hon. Friend’s contribution. We are aware that the prevalence of diabetes can be up to five times higher among those from a black or minority ethnic background—for example, those from a south Asian background in the UK. That increased prevalence may be due to different underlying behavioural, environmental and lifestyle mechanisms—and, of course, the wonderful food that is produced. On a recent trip to India, I realised the seriousness of the escalation of diabetes in that country, with 40 million diagnosed with the disease and another 30 million undiagnosed. It is a serious issue, and I know that many innovative PCTs are looking into cooking methods. I would be pleased to hear more about the scheme that my hon. Friend mentioned.
NICE guidance recommends that newly diagnosed diabetics should have structured patient education made available to them. Given the rising number of people, particularly children, suffering from diabetes, is the Minister confident that PCTs have the necessary resources and diabetic nurses available to provide that service?
The hon. Member raises an important point about education. We are working continually with the support team that published “Improving emergency and inpatient care for people with diabetes”, particularly in respect of children and young adolescents. It is an extremely important programme and the diabetes specialist nurse, of course, plays a pinnacle role in the team.
In declaring my interest as a sufferer from type 2 diabetes, I welcome the Health Secretary’s proposed visit to the Silver Star centre in Leicester, whose aim is to raise awareness so that people can be tested for diabetes. Will the Minister pledge to increase the resources that the Government give to voluntary projects to help the centre to do that assessment, which is so vital to people finding out whether they have diabetes?
Great work has been done on diabetes in my right hon. Friend’s area. Since 2006-07, the quality and outcomes framework has rewarded practices for recording the ethnicity of 100 per cent. of new patient registrations. There is, of course, much more work to do, but I believe that we have made great progress.