Patients with type 2 diabetes are much more likely to receive checks to their feet and legs than people with type 1, a survey from Diabetes UK has found.
The Diabetes UK Care Survey 2015 looked at the responses of 6850 people with diabetes. It found that only 69% of people with type 1 were getting their legs and feet checked, compared to 80% of people with type 2. The survey also identified issues with the quality of health checks being performed. Only 56% of people with type 1 were given advice about how to care for their feet and only 50% were told their level of risk. In comparison, around 63% of people with type 2 had received advice on how to care for their feet and 55% being told their level of risk for foot problems.
‘With 3.5 million people diagnosed with the condition in the UK, achieving good care for people with diabetes is a clear and pressing issue,’ said Bridget Turner, director of policy and care Improvement at Diabetes UK. ‘No-one should be missing out on their annual checks and the services should be in place to support people with diabetes.’
The survey also looked at the provision of education for people with the condition. It found that just over two thirds of people with type 1 have been offered a course compared with just over half of people with type 2 diabetes. People with type 1 were also more likely to take up a place on a course as 73% who were offered a course went on one, compared to 69% of people with type 2.
‘Our 15 healthcare essentials provide information about what to expect to help people with diabetes work with their diabetes teams to manage their condition well,’ added Ms Turner. ‘It is the basic level of care that everyone should be receiving to give them the best chance of a long and healthy life.’