The Welsh Conservatives will call on the Labour Government to introduce a plan to tackle diabetes after concerns were raised about a rapid increase in the number of people with the condition.
Around 210,000 people in Wales live with diabetes, a higher prevalence than any other UK nation, and has risen rapidly over the last 15 years, almost doubling. By 2030 the number of adults with diabetes in Wales is likely to grow further from 8% to 11%, leaving 311,000 with the condition.
This would place an enormous strain on the NHS Wales as diabetes already costs it approximately £500m a year, 10% of its annual budget. Around 80% of this is spent on managing complications, most of which could be prevented.
The Official Opposition will also ask other parties to demand a quality statement for diabetes to be published before the end of July, with an action plan coming within a year.
This is all the more important given the “latest” delivery plan ended in 2020 and that it’ll be nearly three years before the next one is published.
Around 90% of those with diabetes have type 2 diabetes and a further 580,000 people in Wales could be at risk of developing type 2. Estimates suggest a further 65,501 people in Wales have type 2, but have not yet been diagnosed, meaning almost 275,000 may be living with diabetes in Wales.
Shadow Health Minister Russell George, leading the debate, will also highlight the continued adverse impact of the coronavirus pandemic on waiting times, access to services, diagnostic tests, prevention and care for people with diabetes in Wales.
He will also acknowledge the need for a renewed commitment to improving outcomes for people with and at risk of diabetes to uphold the National Service Framework for Diabetes.
Ahead of the debate, Welsh Conservative Russell George MS said:
“Diabetes is a ticking time-bomb that we do not talk about often enough.
“8% of adults in Wales suffer from the condition, and the huge increase in the number of people developing a potentially lethal disease should be of huge concern to Labour ministers in Cardiff Bay.
“It seems completely reasonable for there to be an action plan produced to see how the Welsh Government intends to arrest this trend, not only for the good the health of the nation but to take pressure off the NHS and allow it to focus on other less preventable conditions.”
Mathew Norman, Policy and Public Affairs Manager at Diabetes UK Cymru, added:
“Diabetes is serious; here in Wales, we have the highest prevalence of diabetes of all the UK Nations. More needs to be done to support people living with all types of diabetes, prevent type 2 diabetes and put more people into remission.
“With 580,000 people in Wales at risk of developing type 2 diabetes, deliberate action and investment is needed by the Welsh Government to plan, tackle and reduce the impact of this serious condition.
“We welcome measures such as the ‘All-Wales Diabetes Prevention Programme’ to help reduce the risk of people developing type 2 diabetes, we believe that an overarching quality statement and clinical pathways need a clear, national plan for delivery. A delivery plan will help to provide national oversight and ensure the highest standards are met throughout Wales.”