Devastating diabetes complications costs the healthcare system in Scotland £485 million a year, highlighting the importance of getting the right care to people living with diabetes.
With the right treatment and support, it is possible to live well with diabetes. But without it, devastating complications can develop, and every week in the UK diabetes leads to 2,990 cases of heart failure, more than 930 strokes and 660 heart attacks, and 184 amputations.
New research commissioned by Diabetes UK, which was carried out by York Health Economics Consortium, shows that the NHS in Scotland spends almost £875 million a year on diabetes, about 4.5% of the health budget in Scotland.
Currently, approximately £380 million in Scotland goes on routine diabetes care, which includes diagnosis, GP and nurse appointments, eye screening, blood tests, medications, diabetes technology, education and support programmes, and specialist diabetes teams.
The study suggests that investing more in better diabetes care may help to reduce the costs of diabetes-related complications, which are far too high, and at approximately £485 million account for about 55% of the overall costs of diabetes to the NHS in Scotland.
The research estimates that, by 2035, the cost of diabetes to the NHS in Scotland could be approximately £1.5 billion. The cost of preventable diabetes complications to the UK healthcare system is £6.2 billion a year.
What we want to see next
There is a huge opportunity to transform the lives of people with diabetes through a greater focus on early care and support, with fewer people developing complications.
Diabetes UK in Scotland is calling for:
- Bold action to improve our food environment by following through on the Scottish Government’s longstanding commitment to introduce restrictions around the promotion of food and drink high in fat, sugar and salt.
- More attention and resource to ensure people with diabetes receive their vital regular health checks. Some progress has been made to ease the backlog caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, but this essential care is still not being delivered to everyone who needs it. In 2022/23, only 18% of adults living with diabetes in Scotland were recorded as receiving all nine essential diabetes checks, which drops to 16.1% for 12–17-year-olds.
- People with diabetes have access to technologies and treatments to help them manage their diabetes effectively.
Colette Marshall, Chief Executive at Diabetes UK, said:
“This new research paints a stark picture, with billions of pounds being spent treating devastating diabetes complications. These complications cause untold hardship to many thousands of people and are, in most cases, preventable with the right care.
“Getting care right for people with diabetes can save limbs, sight and lives. But despite some progress, too many people are still missing out and too many are developing diabetes complications.
“Shifting the dial from crisis to preventative care would help to reduce the harm from diabetes, allowing people with the condition to live well along while, ultimately, reducing the cost to the health service.”
The findings have been published in the journal Diabetic Medicine.
