Children’s diabetes control standards ‘on the rise’

The standard of care offered to children with diabetes in England and Wales is on the rise, according to a new report.

Published by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit for 2014/15 has shown that average blood glucose levels in children with diabetes in England and Wales fell for the fifth consecutive year, with more youngsters than ever achieving excellent control.

The percentage rose from 15.8 percent in 2012/13 to 23.5 percent in 2014/15, which reflects the better standard of testing, treatment and monitoring among young patients.

It was shown that 98.7 percent of children and young people had their average blood glucose levels measured in the audit year, with 64.9 percent having their eyes screened and 52.4 percent checked for urinary albumin.

However, it was also noted that not all of the seven recommended healthcare checks are being performed with the same regularity, with regional variations in the standard of care causing particular concern.

The study's clinical lead Dr Justin Warner, a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health, said: "We now call on commissioners to ensure paediatric diabetes units have the resources in place in order to provide high quality care for all children, regardless of postcode."