Diabetes epidemic costing health service €580m to treat every year

A DIABETES epidemic is unfolding across Ireland, conservatively costing the health service €580 million annually to treat.

However, that high cost — 6.4% of total healthcare expenditure when the survey was carried out — could be greatly reduced if the Government were to invest in prevention of diabetes and diabetes-related complications.

That is the conclusion of a major study of the illness carried out by diabetes specialists with patients in four hospitals nationwide; the Mater Hospital, Cork University Hospital, St James Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital.