DIABETES AWARENESS WEEK AND CORONARY HEART DISEASE

Early day motion 1688, tabled 13 June 2007 by Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 65 members.

That this House welcomes Diabetes Awareness Week 2007 to be held between 10th and 16th June, at a time when 2.2 million people in the UK suffer from Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes; recognises that the most common complication for diabetes is coronary heart disease and that sufferers are four to six times more likely to die as a result than non-diabetics and are at a higher risk of restenosis (re-narrowing of previous clogged arteries); commends the extensive advances in medical technology specifically designed to treat coronary heart disease; notes that bare metal and drug-eluting stents are successful, cost-effective alternatives to coronary artery bypass grafts as a treatment; further notes that drug-eluting stents significantly lower the likelihood of restenosis in diabetics in comparison to bare metal stents; and urges all health trusts to ensure diabetics are given an informed choice of all treatments available.

Signatures by party: Labour 32, Liberal Democrat 18, Conservative 7, DUP 4, Plaid Cymru 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2.