Oldham diabetes record high

MORE than 14,000 Oldhamers are living with diabetes - more than ever before.

The new figures from Diabetes UK show an 11.2 per cent increase in the number of people diagnosed since 2012. The increase in Oldham is substantially higher than that across England, where the increase is almost half the local rate.

The number of people living with diabetes in the UK has tipped over the four million mark for the first time, though this includes almost 550,000 people thought to be undiagnosed sufferers.

Stephen Ryan, Diabetes UK regional manager said: “Over the past three years the number of people with diabetes in Oldham has risen at an alarming rate. These figures are a stark and urgent call for action.”

Diabetics can suffer serious complications and even early death if their condition is not properly managed

Mr Ryan added: “Diabetes education needs to be readily available everywhere, and commissioned along with a proper local system that explains to people with diabetes the benefits they will gain from attending an education course, and ensures that courses are well run.”