Cunningham alarmed at diabetes figures

“I am hugely concerned that the sharp rise in the number of people in the area who have been diagnosed with diabetes. I researched this particular area as part of Council’s response to “Transforming Your Care” consultation. There is no evidence to think this will mark the end of what has been a rapid rise in the condition.

“During the period 2007 - 2012 Moyle has seen the second highest increase in diagnosis, our neighbouring council area Coleraine experienced an almost 47% increase. The NI average is already too high and we are over 10% above that. The figure represents an increase of 330 people diagnosed with diabetes over the five year period. The estimate of people thought to have undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes is unknown.

“Experts have warned that unless more is done to prevent Type 2 diabetes and more help is given to help those with the condition, the increase could see the NHS burdened with unsustainable costs, which has huge implications for public health. All the projections suggest that we are on the road towards a public health emergency. This unfolding tragedy is already putting huge pressure on the Health Service and will have potentially devastating consequences for those people who develop the condition.”