1 in 5 hospital patients in the UK has diabetes
Wednesday, 27 January 2010 09:30
The first ever diabetes audit of 200 NHS hospitals has found that 20 per cent of patients on hospital wards have diabetes – twice the proportion previously estimated. In addition, the audit, which is due to be published later this year, will also show that people with diabetes stay in hospital longer than other patients.
The Government's diabetes tsar Dr Rowan Hillson, who is leading the audit, wants to see all patients admitted to hospital with diabetes be given access to specialist advice and believes that having diabetes specialist nurses on wards can reduce readmissions of patients with diabetes, as well as drug errors, and length of stay.
“When they are in hospital it is crucial that people with diabetes have access to the right advice and support from healthcare professionals who have a specialist knowledge of the condition to ensure the best possible health outcomes," said Cathy Moulton, Care Advisor at Diabetes UK.
"In addition, as more and more people are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and put more pressure on NHS spending, we must do all we can to raise awareness of Type 2 diabetes and its risk factors in the general public by encouraging people to make lifestyle changes enabling them to reduce the risk of developing the condition.”
Source: Diabetes UK
