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Peter Black and South Wales West Liberal DemocratsRepresenting Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot, and Swansea |
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More diabetes screening needed says Assembly Member
February 16, 2009 12:00 AM
Welsh Liberal Democrat Shadow Health Minister, Peter Black has called on the Welsh Assembly Government to improve the quality of screening given to those at risk of Type 2 diabetes.
Mr Black has submitted a 'Statement of Opinion' and asked all other Assembly Members to sign it, urging the Government to ensure that screening for type 2 diabetes occurs consistently across Wales.
On February 24th 2004 Assembly Members voted unanimously to 'develop active case finding throughout Wales of Type 2 diabetes, involving regular targeted screening'. However there is still a concern that screening can be patchy and inconsistent.
Around 130,000 people in Wales have been diagnosed with diabetes, yet it is estimated that thousands more may be unaware that they suffer from it. If detected early and treated effectively, people with diabetes can lead full and healthy lives, however if not properly treated or managed it can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and nerve damage.
"The fact that screening was unanimously accepted in 2004 shows that Assembly Members recognise the importance that this can have in helping detect diabetes sufferers." said Mr Black. "I am not talking about screening everyone in Wales, just those who are most at risk from the disease. This could have huge benefits for helping those who are unaware of their condition by helping them when the disease is first starting to affect them."
"Estimates are that up to 1/10th of the NHS budget is spent on diabetes. This is a huge sum of money. Much of that is spent managing the problems of those who are not coping with their condition. By detecting sufferers early and helping educate them on managing their condition there could potentially be a cost benefit to the Welsh health service."
ENDS.
Notes: The text of Mr Black's statement of opinion is below.
The National Assembly for Wales:
Notes that the National Assembly voted unanimously on 24th February 2004 to 'develop active case finding throughout Wales of Type 2 diabetes, involving regular targeted screening' .
Notes that around 130,000 people in Wales have been diagnosed with diabetes and it is estimated that thousands more have the condition.
Believes that at present screening is still patchy and inconsistent and as a result many who could be diagnosed are at risk of their serious condition remaining undetected.
Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to ensure that screening for type 2 diabetes occurs consistently across Wales.
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