SDLP MLA and Chair of the All-Party Group on Diabetes, Pat Ramsey has called on the Health minister to deliver on the 11 recommendations for action on Diabetes services.
Addressing a meeting of Diabetes UK in Stormont today Mr Ramsey praised the progress that had been made on the roll out of new technology and awareness campaigns.
He said: “My work and that of my colleagues in the All Party Group on Diabetes, aims to increase awareness of the condition and the range of issues we have considered in the past year have included initial prevention and the prevention of complications. We were very pleased to hear of the five Trusts supporting the ‘4 Ts’ campaign.
“Importantly we have persisted in keeping self-management programmes high on our agenda as key in preventing the development of complications and empowering people to manage their condition.
“We have influenced the roll out of new technology and in particular have achieved 30% of eligible young people being fitted with an insulin pump in the last 3 years campaigning with Diabetes UK.
“It was a year ago that the Health Minister launched the report on the Review of Diabetes Services with 11 recommendations for action. This ambitious timetable he asked the Department to work to has not been achieved.
“This is an issue of importance. Wider issues such as the future of the Transforming Your Care strategy, the Donaldson report, as well as how services are commissioned will all impact on diabetes care and I urge the Health Minister to consider these consequences and act on the 11 recommendations for action.
“The All Party Group awaits a progress report on a diabetes action plan which will be a matter for public consultation this year.”
