NHS figures show over 7,000 adults registered in H&F
The number of people with diabetes in Hammersmith & Fulham is rising, according to figures released this week by Diabetes UK.
The figures, extracted from official NHS data and published at the start of Diabetes Week, running from June 14 till 20, show that there were 7,376 adults registered with diabetes in 2013-2014, up 2.28% on the previous year.
Diabetes UK is calling on the NHS to ensure people living with diabetes are provided with the education and support to manage their condition effectively on a day to day basis.
Roz Rosenblatt, London Region Manager for Diabetes UK, says: " Rising figures in some London boroughs may be due to the fact that initiatives such as NHS healthchecks means that doctors are finding people at risk earlier.
" While this is good news, we remain concerned at the rising numbers of people living with the condition and this makes access to the education which will help them manage their diabetes most effectively even more important.
" We must get better at offering education to people who are living with diabetes and help them to manage this serious, complex and often overwhelming condition. It is crucial that education is made available both at the point of diagnosis and beyond as the education needs of people already living with the condition can change over time.
"Along with providing better and more flexible education options, local health systems need to focus on increasing the proportion of people getting the 15 healthcare checks that everyone with diabetes should be receiving. Until we achieve these steps, we will continue to deny people living with diabetes of the best possible chance of living long and healthy lives."
This Diabetes Week, Diabetes UK is urging everyone with diabetes to seek out the support and education they need. Find out more at the Diabetes Week website or at #DiabetesandMe on Twitter.
June 19, 2015
|