More than 1.3 million diabetes patients not offered vital tests

[Northerner]

An estimated 1.3 million diabetes patients are missing out on vital and potentially life-saving health checks, the BBC has learned.

NHS figures reveal fewer than 10% of patients are offered the full series of tests in some areas of England.

Health Minister Paul Burstow said the situation was "outrageous" and "unacceptable".

Primary care trusts in low test areas said they were working to improve services for diabetes patients.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-17014480

Scandalous!

 

[Twitchy]

Apparently there is due to be something about diabetes on bbc breakfast today...

 

[Northerner]

Apparently there is due to be something about diabetes on bbc breakfast today...

Yes, they had Barbara Young on earlier. She made the very good point about how outraged everyone is about the servicemen coming back from warzones with missing limbs, yet there are (forget the number) many similar things happening to people every week because of poor diabetes care No-one should ever lose a limb because they haven't received their regular checks

It's all a tie-in to the Radio 4 File on 4 programme on tonight (repeated Sunday):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01c7pr5

 

[JoeFreeman]

We're tweeting Barbara's comments later during the File on 4 programme, "as it happens". Should be interesting I think.

Bit of a story on our site this morning on this too.

It all links to our campaign to ensure people get their 15 healthcare checks at least annually (although I personally didn't know NICE say there are just 9 checks that should be annually carried out...).

 

[Northerner]

We're tweeting Barbara's comments later during the File on 4 programme, "as it happens". Should be interesting I think.

Bit of a story on our site this morning on this too:

It all links to our campaign to ensure people get their 15 healthcare checks at least annually (although I personally didn't know NICE say there are just 9 checks that should be annually carried out...).

I think some of your 15 checks don't apply to everyone Joe - isn't there one about pregnancy? Wouldn't need that one myself! 🙂

 

[JoeFreeman]

I think some of your 15 checks don't apply to everyone Joe - isn't there one about pregnancy? Wouldn't need that one myself! 🙂

That would be why then 🙂

There's one about smoking too, which obviously wouldn't apply to everyone.

 

[M.Diriye]

I really think that theyre just not taking this seriously? It's a very dissapointing article

 

[Robster65]

That would be why then 🙂

There's one about smoking too, which obviously wouldn't apply to everyone.

I'd like to be asked if I want the pregnancy check. 🙄

I noticed one area was Swindon. I lived there a few years ago and didn't think it was too bad, so maybe the postcode lottery has a time element too. It may depend on the admin and management in charge at the time, rather than just physical location.

Rob

 

[JoeFreeman]

Our Chief Exec Barbara Young was on BBC Radio 5 Live this morning - you can have a listen here (from around 21:50 in...):

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b01c6mtv/5_live_Breakfast_21_02_2012/

 

[Pumper_Sue]

I don't think in the 47 years of having type 1 diabetes I have ever had my feet checked.

 

[Casper]

This is why there was a (brief) discussion on Radio Newcastle this morning see my previous post - don't know how to do a link - they also said that in the northeast we have the highest number of type 1s😱

 

[AlisonM]

I count myself fairly lucky that I do get regular checks and that I'm aware (thanks to the forum) of what checks are needed. I know of folk up here though who are rarely checked, not because it isn't offered, but because they won't go to the appointments.

I must say though, there seems to have been a slight change in emphasis around the BBC of late. An article they ran on diabetes and birth defects represented the causes if T1 and T2 far more accurately than is usally the case in the media. And now this one, suddenly it's not entirely our fault after all. I hope the trend continues, we may even end up with [SHOCK]GASP[/SHOCK] accurate reporting.

 

[Tina63]

I don't think in the 47 years of having type 1 diabetes I have ever had my feet checked.

That's terrible Sue, my son has had his checked 3 times in 13 months!

 

[Brendan]

I must be lucky in my area (postcode) as I have had most of the relevant items on the checklist.

I feel for anybody not getting the treatment they need as our health is so important and it is bad to think that we can be let down by the NHS trying to save money not lives.

Interesting thread but how can we make ourselves heard?

 

[Mark T]

I thought it was funny that my PCT had been named as the worst offender in the BBC report.

I've actually had almost all the checks relevant to me.