With 24,000 preventable deaths, NHS urged to tackle failing diabetes care
Yesterday the Guardian reported that failings in NHS care for the growing number of diabetics lead to 24,000 preventable deaths each year with others suffering complications including blindness and limb amputations.
The article is based on a report from the government's spending watchdog the National Audit Office, which claims that treatment for diabetics is so poor that barely half of the 3.1 million sufferers receive the regular NHS checks they need to keep them healthy.
Inadequate medical care for diabetics is something that we see as medical negligence solicitors because when healthcare professionals fail to act appropriately when dealing with the disease, lives can be wrecked. While these stats are shocking, the government must remember that each is an individual and the impact of their loss of vision, a limb or even death, will have a catastrophic impact.
The tragedy is that as this article clearly shows basic care and checks could prevent much of this needless suffering. The diabetes medical negligence cases that the team at JMW have dealt with include delays in diagnosis, improper management and a failure to realise a patient was at risk of losing a limb.
With the number of people suffering from the disease growing there is a risk that UK diabetes care will become a national scandal. The NHS cannot bury its head in the sand and it must start targeting diabetes patients proactively if spiralling preventable deaths and injuries are to be brought under control.
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