New diabetes cases falls in the Lothians

The amount of new cases of diabetes being reported in the Lothians has decreased, it has emerged. Findings from a recent study show that about 0.4 per cent of the population of the Scottish region have been diagnosed as having received a positive diagnosis in the last year .
New diagnoses of diabetes fell to just 2,143 last year, as compared to 2,347 in 2009. The decrease, even with the estimated further 0.4 per cent of people thought to remain undiagnosed, means that those in the Lothians are less likely to suffer from the condition than in any other part of the country, although the estimated 4,000 people who are thought to unknowingly have the disease in the region remain a concern for health chiefs.
Michael Matheso, the public health minister in the Scottish Parliament, commented “This survey shows that we continue to see ongoing improvements.”
He added “The Diabetes Action Pla, published last year, set out a three-year vision for improving services offered to those living with diabetes in Scotland and the findings from this year’s survey reinforce our determination to deliver world-class diabetes healthcare .”
The news is welcome after a recent study showed that nearly 2,000 children under 14 have type 1 diabetes in Scotland, one of the highest rates in Europe.