Diabetics need more help

There are 20,163 people diagnosed with diabetes in Bedfordshire but Diabetes UK warns that just 52 per cent of people in the East of England get the recommended nine annual checks to manage their condition.

Having the nine cheks which include things like measuring blood pressure and cholesterol, is vital for helping diabetics maintain good longterm health and avoid serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, blindness and amputation.

Sharon Roberts from Diabetes UK said: “Everyone is entitled to the care set out in our 15 Healthcare Essentials but unfortunately we know that too many people in Bedfordshire are not getting it.

“We want to make sure people are aware of the care they should be getting and the adverts in GP surgeries will help raise awareness of this. We hope that by engaging with people with diabetesin their doctor’s waiting room or in their pharmacy, will reinforce just how important it is for them to get all their checks and prompt them to ask their GP, or another healthcare professional, if they don’t think they are getting the support they are supposed to get.”

Visit www.diabetes.org.uk/15-essentials-checklist to find out more or call Diabetes Uk Careline on 0845 120 2960.