Debate contribution: Diabetes Care

Debate contribution by Mr Alan Chambers on 28 April 2025.

MLA: Mr Alan Chambers
Party at the time: Ulster Unionist Party
Date: 28 April 2025
Type: Debate contribution
Business: Private Members' Business
Heading: Diabetes Care
Assembly identifier: Official Report component 4914155

Text

There is no doubt that diabetes is one of the biggest health threats of our time. The number of people who are living with the condition is expected to rise dramatically in the coming years. In just a decade, from 2014 to 2024, the number of people who are on the diabetic register jumped by 40%. Similar increases have also been witnessed in neighbouring jurisdictions. We often use the word "crisis" in the Chamber, but the increasing prevalence of diabetes genuinely is a health crisis that, if left unchecked, has the potential to overwhelm our already stretched healthcare system. The condition can also have a major impact on the physical and psychological well-being of individuals and their families. Whether you are male or female, young or old, diabetes can happen to anyone. Whilst this is by no means always the case, too many cases of type 2 diabetes are too often driven by lifestyle factors, such as poor diet, physical inactivity and obesity. On the latter point of obesity, greater awareness and early intervention are, of course, always more preferable to trying to resolve the problem once it manifests itself. I know that the Minister has also been focusing on the issue of societal obesity. I look forward to announcements being made in that space shortly. It is clear that better communication and awareness-raising will not, on their own, turn the tide of the rapidly rising rates of diabetes. That is why any improvements to treatments and techniques are so important. The hybrid closed-loop system is one such innovation. Like everyone else, I want to see equitable access to that technology. However, I remind the proposers of the motion, not for the first time, that they are asking the health service in Northern Ireland to do more while tying its arms behind its back financially. That said, I hope that it will be rolled out as quickly as possible, not least because of the already proven benefit for the people whom it can help.

334 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

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