A look at the Autumn 2021 Spending Review and Budget and how it may impact people living with diabetes.
Today, the Chancellor delivered his Spending Review and Budget, outlining plans and priorities for government expenditure. Pitched as the unveiling of ‘an economy for a new age of optimism’, it outlined a number of priorities for the Department of Health and Social Care over the coming years. Our response comes from our Director of Policy, Campaigns and Improvement as we call on the government to do more to tackle the backlog of routine, but vital care appointments for people living diabetes.
Bridget Turner, Director of Policy, Campaigns and Improvement at Diabetes UK, said: “It was disappointing to see little evidence of funding to address the backlog of diabetes care in today’s Spending Review announced by the Chancellor. Diabetes is serious, and our research has shown that one in three people living with the condition had no contact with their diabetes team throughout the pandemic.
"Routine check-ups are crucial for identifying and reducing the risk of serious complications from diabetes, and we have campaigned for this to be a priority for government. Today’s Spending Review also feels like a missed opportunity to tackle the inequalities we know exist in diabetes care. At this stage, it is simply not clear where the funding is to support the 4.9 million people living with the condition in the UK.
"We welcome the continued commitment to fund weight-management services to prevent type 2 diabetes and investment in primary care, but more detail is needed about where the workforce will come from to support people living with diabetes.
"We look forward to seeing more details of the government’s plans and will continue to work with them to highlight the need to invest more in diabetes care, prevention and research.”
As part of our Diabetes is Serious campaign, we’ve been calling on the UK Government to prioritise and invest in diabetes care and prevention. Our survey showed that one in three people living with diabetes have not had contact with their diabetes team since the start of the pandemic.
Despite the lack of focus on diabetes in the Spending Review today, we are continuing to campaign for change. If you’d like to hear more about how this campaign progresses, and how you can join us in the fight to reduce harm from diabetes, you can sign up to our campaigns mailing list.
