Lack of support for mental health patients with diabetes

Diabetes UK is calling on the NHS to better integrate mental health and diabetes care, after finding that half of those needing treatment in both areas are not receiving vital checks.

The charity calling on the NHS to challenge poor standards of care for people with Type 2 diabetes and severe mental illness across the country and to move faster to better integration of mental health and diabetes care, stressing that the care of people with diabetes in mental health settings should ensure diabetes care is prioritised.

Diabetes UK’s research also found that ‘huge variation’ between the best and worst performing areas when it came to checking diabetes in mental health patients. For example, in Hackney 78 per cent of residents with Type 2 diabetes and severe mental illnesses receive all the required checks, whereas it is only 18 per cent in Wolverhampton.

The charity also claims that mental health professionals working mainly with people with severe mental illness should also have training to understand the associated mental health problems that can arise and are specific to diabetes, such as diabetes distress.

Nikki Joule, policy manager at Diabetes UK, said: “The health system should recognise that long term physical and mental health conditions often occur together and provide care that focuses on the whole person rather than a single condition. We need to bridge the divide between physical and mental health services to ensure those with severe mental illness and Type 2 diabetes do not have their physical care needs overlooked. It is critical that all care sees the whole person, and provides integrated support.”