Diabetics Are Dying Due To Poor Care
Around 3.7 million people in the UK suffer from diabetes. It is a major issue, and yet a recent study has shown that thousands of diabetics are dying each year because of poor care.
Care for diabetes must be improved
There are two types of diabetes. Type 1 develops when the body stops making insulin-producing cells. It is not known why this happens, and there is nothing that can be done to prevent it from happening. That is opposed to type 2 diabetes which develops when the body does not produce enough insulin. This is commonly associated with being overweight.
According to the National Diabetes Audit, diabetes increases the risk of heart attack, angina, stroke and amputation is much higher in those with diabetes, and type 1 diabetes is also associated with the risk of premature death.
But experts say these risks can be significantly reduced if healthcare sectors improved standards of care. This was emphasised by Dr Bob Young, consultant diabetologist and clinical lead for the National Diabetes Information Service, who said “improving treatment for diabetes should be a top priority for all clinical services.”
“22,000 Excess Deaths”
This comment was made in the wake of information released by the NHS Health and Social Care Information Centre, which showed there were around 22,000 “excess deaths” of diabetes last year – most of which could be attributed to failings in care.
Speaking about the findings, Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “It is a tragedy that a large proportion of these thousands of extra heart attacks could have been prevented simply through better education, treatment and care.
“We hope this report spurs the NHS into action to improve the current situation where fewer than half of people with diabetes meet the recommended cholesterol levels and a significant minority are not even having it measured.
“This report…lays bare how people with diabetes are at greatly increased risk of complications such as amputation, stroke, kidney failure and blindness. As well as the devastating effect these are having on people's quality of lives, diabetes is causing too many people to die as a result of these complications.”
Have you suffered because of poor medical care?
If you or your loved one has suffered because of poor diabetic care, get in touch with a solicitor to discuss your rights. It may be that your level of care fell below an acceptable standard, in turn causing you to sustain an injury. If so, you will be entitled to compensation for the damages you have wrongfully endured.
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Can We Help You With A Medical Negligence Enquiry?
Early legal assistance can be vital so please contact us if you would like to discuss your situation. Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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