Serious complications from diabetes cost the UK healthcare system £6.2 billion a year, highlighting not only the seriousness of diabetes but also the importance of people with diabetes receiving the right treatment.
With the right treatment and support, it is possible to live well with diabetes. But without the right treatment and support, people can develop serious complications from diabetes, with diabetes responsible for 2,990 cases of heart failure, more than 930 strokes, 660 heart attacks and 184 amputations every week.
New research we commissioned and carried out by the York Health Economics Consortium finds that the NHS spends £10.7 billion a year on diabetes, around 6% of the UK health budget.
Currently, around £4.4 billion is spent on routine diabetes care, which includes diagnosis, GP and nurse visits, eye checks, blood tests, medication, diabetes technology, education and support programmes and specialist diabetes teams.
The study suggests that further investment in improved diabetes care could reduce the costs of diabetes-related complications, which are extremely costly at £6.2 billion, around 60% of total diabetes-related costs to the NHS.
Kim Steer, 56, a teacher from Yeovil, Somerset, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 19. She struggled to access healthcare professionals for many years and now suffers from diabetic retinopathy.
“Due to diabetes, I lost some of my eyesight. This complication was a big shock to me and I had to make big adjustments to continue my job as a teacher.”
“I was told that if I didn’t keep my blood sugar levels within target, my vision would be affected and I would lose my eyesight, but for a while I didn’t get the support I needed to keep it that way.”
Research estimates that diabetes-related costs to the NHS could be nearly £18 billion by 2035.
What to see next
By focusing on early care and support, and reducing the number of people who develop complications, we have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of people with diabetes.
We call on all political parties to ensure the next UK Government:
- We will take bold action to reduce the number of people developing type 2 diabetes, including measures to tackle the promotion of unhealthy foods and drinks.
- We will provide more attention and resources to ensure people with diabetes receive their important regular health checks. While progress has been made to ease delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, this vital care is still not available to everyone who needs it. In 2022/23, around 1.6 million people with diabetes in England alone will not receive all eight important health checks.
- Ensure people with diabetes have access to the skills and treatments that will help them manage their diabetes effectively.
Colette Marshall, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said:
“This new research highlights the grim reality that billions of pounds are being spent on treating serious complications of diabetes which cause immense suffering for thousands of people but are, in most cases, preventable with the right treatment.”
“Proper care for people with diabetes can save limbs, eyesight and lives. But while some progress has been made, too many people still lack access to care and too many develop diabetes complications.”
“Shifting the focus from crisis to preventive care will reduce the harms caused by diabetes, improve the health of people with diabetes and ultimately reduce the costs of health services.”
The results of this study were published in the journal Diabetic Medicine.
