DIABETES UK MEASURE UP CAMPAIGN

Early day motion 74, tabled 3 December 2008 by Adrian Sanders (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 80 members.

That this House welcomes the Diabetes UK campaign Measure Up, which aims to raise awareness of diabetes; recognises that there are currently an estimated 750,000 people in the UK who have diabetes who are not aware of their condition; notes that the campaign aims to identify at least 25 per cent. of these people; further notes the seriousness of diabetes, which if left untreated can lead to blindness, kidney disease, heart attacks and other life-threatening complications; supports the key messages of the campaign that if you are a white or black male and your waist is 37 inches or more, a woman and your waist is 31.5 inches or more, or a South Asian man and your waist is 35 inches or more, you could need a test for diabetes; observes that keeping people with the condition healthier will also reduce the long-term impact on limited NHS resources; expresses its concern over Department of Health figures which show that only 72 per cent. of the diabetic population has been diagnosed across the UK; further notes that some primary care trusts have only diagnosed around half of their diabetic population; and calls on the Government to encourage primary care trusts to spell out their plans for early identification of people with diabetes in their local area.

Signatures by party: Labour 35, Liberal Democrat 24, Conservative 7, DUP 6, Independent 5, Social Democratic and Labour Party 3.