Billions of dollars spent treating preventable complications, study finds

Billions of pounds are spent each year on “potentially preventable” complications of diabetes, researchers say.

Experts recommended the NHS should shift its focus “from crisis to preventive care” to reduce the harm to patients living with the disease and cut costs.

Diabetes UK, the charity which commissioned the York University survey, estimates that more than 4.4 million people in the UK have diabetes.

The NHS has announced that more than 1.6 million people in England have benefited from the NHS Diabetes Prevention Scheme.

The study estimated that the direct costs of diabetes have increased by around £1 billion over 12 years.

Academics estimate that the direct cost of diabetes to the NHS will be around £10.7 billion in 2021/22, up from £9.8 billion in 2012.

Twelve years ago, about 80% of costs were attributable to diabetes-related complications such as kidney, eye, circulatory and nerve damage, but researchers suggest that this figure has fallen due to improved blood sugar control.

Even in 2021, around £6.2 billion is still being spent each year on “potentially preventable complications”, Diabetes UK suggested.

The remaining approximately £4.4 billion was spent on diagnosis, GP consultations, eye tests, blood tests, medication, support programmes and specialist diabetes teams.

Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said the study painted a “bleak picture”.

“These complications cause immense suffering to thousands of people but in most cases are preventable with proper care,” she added.

Nick Hex, deputy director for NHS and public sector at the York Health Economics Consortium, said diabetes “remains a huge burden on the NHS, with the majority of costs still being spent on preventable complications”.

An NHS spokesman said: “More than 1.6 million people in England have benefited from the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, while our world-leading Road to Remission programme, which includes meal replacement products such as soups and shakes, has helped thousands of people with diabetes to improve their health.”

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