Many people in Reading and Woodley live with diabetes and some have to take insulin to manage the condition. It was interesting to attend a Diabetes UK event in Parliament yesterday to learn more about the issues facing people with diabetes as the charity is currently raising awareness of the link between mental health and diabetes.
Diabetes affects a large and growing number of people and the charity’s campaign is part of its wider work to provide help and support.
Diabetes UK says that evidence already exists to show that diabetes services that incorporate emotional and psychological support can help people improve both their physical and mental health, reduce pressure on services and save NHS resources. However, they say that provision of such services is extremely patchy across the UK.
I thought the charity’s call for greater emotional and psychological support to be part of diabetes care was interesting, particularly the point that this should include information, education and peer support.
I’m also aware of the pressure on the NHS as Government funding fails to keep up with the need for healthcare as the population ages.
I would like to see more funding for the health service so it is easier for the NHS to take these interesting points on board and to improve support for patients, carers and NHS staff.

I’d like to hear more about how I can help raise awareness, please email me on mattroddampcasework@parliament.uk