On 13th July, Jo Churchill MP attended the parliamentary launch of ‘Time to Take Control of Diabetes’ by Diabetes UK, backing calls for local action to improve the delivery of life-changing education for people with diabetes. The event, to promote the release of the Diabetes UK 2016 report ‘State of the Nation’, was welcomed by speakers including the Secretary of State for Health, Rt. Hon Jeremy Hunt MP and Chris Askew, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK. The report highlighted that the vast majority of people with diabetes are not getting access to an education course to give them the tools they need to effectively manage their condition.
Mrs Jo Churchill MP said: “There are currently 4 million people living with diabetes in the UK, 3 million of which are in England alone. Evidence shows that, going on a diabetes education course can help people manage their condition more effectively and reduce their risk of developing devastating complications. Therefore, it is paramount we do all we can to ensure people with diabetes receive the support they need to help manage their condition. I have written to NHS health leaders in my Bury St Edmunds constituency, to call on them to commit to delivering diabetes education courses.”
Head of Policy at Diabetes UK Robin Hewings, said: "The current lack of diabetes education is fuelling a health crisis that if left unchecked threatens to bankrupt the NHS, with 10% spent on diabetes and about 80% spent on treating complications of diabetes. That is why we are delighted to have Jo Churchill MP’s support on what is a vitally important issue.”
