An audit has revealed an “incredibly alarming” estimate of 24,000 annual deaths from Diabetes due to failures in healthcare, meaning that many are unable to manage their condition properly and die “avoidably early”.
The figure is though to stem from a large scale failure in the promotion of health checks, medication and drive to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Lack of management of the condition increases the risk of dangerously high or low blood sugar, heart failure or kidney problems.
Whilst the audit states that 75% of the 24,000 deaths are among the over-65s, younger patients are the most at risk. Two young people aged 15-34 in England are believed to die every week as a result.
Dr Bob Young, a consultant diabetologist who led the audit, said the grim statistics gave the first reliable measure of the huge impact of diabetes on early death. He asserted that many of these early deaths were preventable. Without significant action being taken to improve services for Diabetic patient, Young states that the death toll may increase, as the condition is typically long-term and the number of sufferers is on the rise.
Paul Burstow, the Care Services Minister, called the figure “unacceptable”, stating that he hopes the NHS will now take the steps towards improve care for Diabetes sufferers. He believes that an expansion of Telehealth, which lets patients use technology to monitor their vital signs from home, would help diabetics manage their condition better. Greater integration of health and social care services and a reduction in required hospital visits from patients is also thought to have a potential positive effect.
Barbara Young, the Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said the figures were “there is no reason why people with diabetes cannot live long and healthy lives if they receive the right care and support to manage their conditions.”
While self-management was important, half of those with type 2 diabetes and more than two-thirds of those with type 1 did not get the care they needed, she said.
Original Source The Guardian
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