UK diabetes case numbers ‘rose by 60 percent in last decade’

A new report from Diabetes UK has highlighted a considerable increase in the number of diabetes cases in the UK over the last decade.

Figures taken from official NHS data show there are now 3.33 million British people diagnosed with diabetes – an increase of 59.8 percent from the 2.09 million figure recorded in 2005.

This does not take into account the 590,000 adults estimated to have undiagnosed diabetes in 2013-14, suggesting the scale of the problem could be even more significant than the headline figures show.

Moreover, the report revealed that at present, only six in ten people with diabetes in England and Wales receive the eight care processes recommended by the National Institute for Health Care and Excellence (NICE).

This is despite the fact these checks – which include getting blood pressure and glucose levels measured, as well as kidney function monitoring – are identified as essential in the provision of high-quality care for people with diabetes.

Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: "With a record number of people now living with diabetes in the UK, there is no time to waste – the government must act now."