Steve Brine responded on behalf of the Government to a Parliamentary debate on the future of diabetes care, treatment and prevention on Monday 26th February.
The debate was called by Liz McInnes MP, and was well attended, which reflects the wide-reaching impact that diabetes has.
Steve Brine thanked Liz McInnes for introducing the debate, and said how he knew her well and had worked with her on the issue already during his time as a Minister, including on the 'Future of Diabetes' report launch by Diabetes UK back in the autumn. He confirmed that diabetes is one of the biggest health challenges facing the country, and said the figures are 'truly sobering'.
There are currently 3.5 million people in the UK who have been diagnosed with diabetes. If nothing changes, by 2025 more than 5 million people will have the condition, which will be a a significant public health challenge.
Type 1 diabetes affects 400,000 people in the UK and its incidence is increasing by about 4% a year. It is not preventable, so Mr Brine said that the emphasis is on improving the lives of people with type 1 diabetes and helping them to manage their condition. He explained how Type 2 diabetes is much more common, and is a leading cause of preventable sight loss in people of working age and a major contributor to kidney failure, heart attacks and strokes.
According to Diabetes UK, 11.9 million people in the UK are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes, which is largely preventable.
Steve Brine said: "Aside from the human impact on people's lives, the financial cost of diabetes and its complications is huge. It already costs the NHS in England over £5.5 billion a year and that figure continues to rise. Managing the growing impact of diabetes is one of the major clinical challenges for us in the 21st century. Preventing type 2 diabetes and promoting the best possible care for all people with it is a key priority for the Government.​"
Mr Brine also touched on the child obesity plan, including his commitment to taking further action if necessary, particularly across marketing, on reducing portion sizes and price promotions, to help healthy choices become the easiest choice of all for young people, as well as the Type 2 Diabetes prevention programme. This is putting in place support for behavioural change in people who have been identified by their GP, or through the NHS health check, as being ​at high risk of developing diabetes.
Concluding, he said: "I want to children to be more active. It is not just about what happens in school, though. The exercise through the Golden Mile in schools should be mirrored in out-of-school activity. There is so much more that we can and should be doing to help to prevent diabetes.
"Diabetes is emblematic of many challenges that the health and care system and my desk faces. Prevention is critical, as is working in partnership with people in a way that tailors support and intervention. I, this Government and this Prime Minister are committed to improving outcomes not only for the millions of ​people in this country who are living with diabetes, but for the many more who are at real risk of developing the condition. We need to help both."
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