Too few professional psychologists offer people with diabetes the emotional support needed to cope with the condition, a survey by Diabetes UK has shown.
The charity surveyed 3845 people and found that 68 per cent of the respondents said that they had not received psychological support when they had needed it.
The survey also found that people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop a mental health condition.' Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: 'Feeling isolated is also common in people with the condition. But getting the right emotional help can make a real difference and can improve people's mental health as well as helping improve their physical health outcomes.'
Diabetes UK has said that people with diabetes who develop depression are at risk of neglecting self-care, which can lead to complications such as blindness, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure and amputation.
Ms Young added: '[General practice} need to consider the emotional needs of people with diabetes as part of personal care planning and they should ask people how they are feeling because this that can open the door for people being able to get more professional support. But this will only happen if appropriate services are commissioned and available.'
Diabetes UK have named access to emotional and psychological support as one of their 'healthcare essentials.' Other essentials include foot checks, kidney function, and smoking cessation.