We're asking people living with diabetes – ‘How good is your care?’

According to Diabetes UK, in their recent report 'Diabetes is Serious. Diabetes care: is it fair enough?', you probably do receive some of the worst care. In their report Diabetes UK say following an analysis of '...the most recent National Diabetes Audit, 2021 to 2022, broken down by ICB to show the percentage of people receiving all eight of the NICE recommended annual care processes.' NHS Shropshire Telford and Wrekin ICB has the lowest number of people receiving all eight checks and is 19% lower than the same period in 2019-2020.

The report says that with the right care and support many complications associated with Diabetes can be avoided. This can be achieved by people living with Diabetes receiving eight routine checks, recommended by the National Institute for Care Excellence (NICE) that have been shown to reduce the chances of developing these complications such as amputations, strokes, heart attacks and heart failure.

Diabetes UK's report says 'Emerging evidence suggests that the ongoing disruption to routine care may be leading to excess mortality in people with diabetes.' In 2022 there were 13% more deaths than expected and in the first part of 2023 it is three times higher than in the same period in 2022 for the whole of the country.

The number of people living with diabetes within Telford and Wrekin is increasing year on year. Currently 12,250 people have a form of diabetes with 750 living with Type 1 Diabetes and 11,500 with Type 2. 

Does your experience of the care you receive match what Diabetes UK is saying?

Simon Fogell, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin said:

"The report of Diabetes UK saying people living in this area receive the worst care in the country makes for sobering reading. Also, the fact this is getting worse and may continue to worsen with the ongoing disruption to services.”  

“We know NHS Shropshire Telford and Wrekin ICB are aware of the issues in Diabetes care and are working to improve services. Therefore, its really important people share their experience of the care and support they get from the NHS to help them live well with Diabetes and avoid complications such as amputations, strokes, heart attacks and heart failure.

“We will use what people tell us, their truths, to share a report with the ICB and Integrated Care System partners to show how you rate your care and what else people feel would support them.” 

Frank Pitt, Chairman, Telford and Wrekin Diabetes Support Group said:

“I would encourage anyone with Diabetes or Pre-diabetes to complete the survey, only by getting the views of people with Diabetes, can we let the local health boards know, what short comings (if any) there are with the diabetic services within Telford and Wrekin. Are you all getting your annual checks? (HbA1c, foot check, eye screening, and annual assessment). Completing the Healthwatch Telford and Wrekin survey will help all.”