New figures show 6,284 Borderers are living with diabetes

It has been revealed that there are 6,284 Borderers living with diabetes, as the number of people in Scotland with the condition has soared.
Jane-Claire Judson: "There is a lack of good diabetes education"Jane-Claire Judson: "There is a lack of good diabetes education"
Jane-Claire Judson: "There is a lack of good diabetes education"

New figures shared by Diabetes Scotland, published at the start of Diabetes Week, show that there were 276,430 people registered with diabetes in 2014, including over 17,200 people newly diagnosed.

This is an increase of more than 8,200 compared to the previous year – equivalent to the population of Peebles. Around 10 per cent (29,802) are living with Type 1 diabetes, while 88 per cent (244,050) have Type 2. Additionally, an estimated 45,500 people in Scotland are living with undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes.

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Jane-Claire Judson, national director of Diabetes Scotland, said: “Since 2008 there has been a 25 per cent increase in the number of people living with diabetes in Scotland. While this trend itself is of great concern, a major issue facing people living with diabetes is the lack of provision and access to good diabetes education.

“Managing diabetes without this education is like asking someone to drive a high performance car without any instruction. We acknowledge there have been improvements in patient education in recent years and the issue was highlighted in the Scottish Government’s recent Diabetes Improvement Plan 2014.

“However, more needs to be done to ensure that every person diagnosed with diabetes is given the opportunity for structured education to help them learn how to manage the condition well.”

Diabetes Scotland is urging everyone with diabetes to seek out support.

Find out more at diabetes.org.uk/diabetesweek or search #DiabetesandMe on Twitter.