Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has given his backing to a Diabetes UK campaign during World Diabetes Day to highlight the key issues facing those with the condition.

At the event in Westminster, Toby met Chesterfield’s Diabetes UK champion Paul Hetherington. One of the main topics of discussion was how to improve care and prevention for the 4.9 million people in the UK who live with diabetes.

Diabetes UK were keen to outline how disruption to diabetes services, caused by the pandemic, is continuing to impact people with diabetes, which will have serious long-term consequences unless urgent action is taken.

They are also urging people to fill in an online assessment to find out if they are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. You can find out more at https://riskscore.diabetes.org.uk/

Early diagnosis is crucial for treating the condition. so important for all types of diabetes. It can save lives, prevent a medical emergency, and reduce the risk of life-changing complications later.

Toby stated “It was great to meet Paul and discuss the issue facing people with diabetes, particularly concerns that care and treatment are being delayed post-pandemic. Cuts to public health teams within the NHS both nationally and at a local authority level over the last twelve years have been substantial. I have contacted Ministers to get a grip now and ensure that waiting times are reduced”.

He added “Access to a GP is vital for people with diabetes to enable them to monitor their condition and flag any changes that they notice. The current government target of two weeks to get a GP appointment is completely unacceptable and acts as a disincentive for people. Labour’s Wes Streeting set out at conference that it is essential that people should be access a GP appointment at their convenance and pledged that a Labour government would make this a reality. He also promised that Labour would invest in our NHS workforce – the biggest investment in its history – to be funded by abolishing non-dom tax status”.