In Wales, we’re working hard to make sure that people with diabetes can get the care they need. Many people living with diabetes have still not been seen by their healthcare teams during the coronavirus pandemic, which is deeply concerning.
Our Diabetes is Serious campaign in Wales highlights the serious disruption many people with diabetes have faced in their care. Most concerningly, we found that one in three people with diabetes in Wales hadn’t had any contact with their healthcare team about their diabetes since the start of the pandemic. This backlog of care is putting lives in danger, and why we’re taking action.
What’s happening now?
Your voice is so important in ensuring that decision-makers in Wales understand just how serious diabetes is. At the start of 2023, more than 13,000 people living with diabetes or caring for someone with diabetes across the UK filled in our survey about their experience during 2022.
What did the survey say?
We found:
- 207,295 people (1 in 13) in Wales live with diabetes
- Over half of the respondents (55%) experienced difficulties managing their diabetes in 2022
- More than a third (41.0%) of respondents found it difficult to make appointments for their diabetes checkups
- More than half (52.4%) who had tried to get emotional or psychological support faced difficulties doing so
- People in the most deprived quintile were 30% more likely to have had no contact with their healthcare team in over a year compared to those in the least deprived.
Our recommendations to the Welsh Government
- Welsh Government must invest in diabetes care, support and prevention as a top priority
- Welsh Government must make sure more people with diabetes have access to life-changing diabetes tech
- Welsh Government must take action to reduce inequalities in diabetes care, so that everyone can get the care they need.
'Diabetes Can’t Wait – Wales' report 2022
Our 'Diabetes Can’t Wait – Wales' report highlights how people with diabetes in Wales felt they were able to manage their condition during uncertain and difficult times.
Read our ‘Diabetes Can’t Wait - Wales’ report
Read our ‘Diabetes Can’t Wait – Wales’ report (Welsh Version)
How can I get involved?
We’ve got lots planned in the coming months to raise awareness with local and UK governments. Diabetes is serious. But together, we are too.
Sign-up for updates so you can keep in touch with the campaign and all the different ways you can get involved.
You can also find out more about our other campaign work in Wales here.
How can I get support?
Access our information and support on all the issues raised in this campaign.
If you have any questions about the campaign, or about our research, please contact campaigns@diabetes.org.uk
