The NHS Aren’t Doing Enough For Diabetes. Why?
Diabetes is a lifelong, life-changing condition which is increasing rapidly and affects 8.5% of adults, yet the NHS are letting these individuals down.
Pic: Pixabay / Myriams-Fotos
Since 1980, the amount of people reportedly affected by diabetes has increased by roughly 314 million. There are two types, type 1 and type 2. Type 1 is a chronic condition where you can’t produce insulin, whereas type 2 is also chronic but is when the body becomes resistant to insulin.
The Freestyle Libre
The BBC recently released a report talking about people ‘missing out’ on a new blood sensor called The Freestyle Libre. The sensor attaches to skin and allows a person who has diabetes to measures their blood sugar levels. This is as an alternative to using the finger prick blood tests, where you have to use a needle each time.
A lot of young people are diagnosed with diabetes, and it can be challenging to deal with, as it affects your whole life and can have a significant impact on day-t0-day activities. The Freestyle Libre was made available by the NHS. However, an investigation showed that a quarter of NHS groups haven’t been recommending them for patients. Health bosses are quoted on the BBC as having said that “the NHS doesn’t have an unlimited source”.
Sensors cost nearly £60 and need to be replaced every fortnight. This is just not affordable for a lot of those with diabetes. With so many affected, the NHS needs to be trying to help as many as possible. It is clear they are not doing so at the moment.
Pic: Pixabay Creative Commons / Open Clipart-Vectors
Depression and Diabetes
Depression is something that can affect a large portion of diabetes-sufferers, especially those who have been recently diagnosed. It doesn’t seem like the NHS is doing a lot for those people. For example, on the NHS website, there is information advising on what to do if you are having an especially hard time dealing with the condition.
This is just not good enough because mental health issues like depression can lead to suicide and nearly 800,000 people die due to suicide every year. Such companies like the NHS and other health organisations need to create a website or well-known place where people facing these problems can go and get treated.
Treatment has developed a lot of the years, but diabetes is still a big problem that affects a lot of people. These effects need to be more talked about more. Smoking and heart disease are talked about a lot more now. Diabetes needs more awareness. It is not seen as a big deal, but it is. Hopefully, in the future, it won’t be something that people have to deal with on a daily basis for the rest of their lives.