Top medic urges more funding for diabetes fight

A leading medic today called for more funding to prevent diabetes as new research revealed treating the condition costs the state almost €600m a year.

A senior consultant at Dublin's St James's Hospital, who led an award-winning study into diabetes, claimed much of the costs could be cut through early detection.

Professor John Nolan, consultant endocrinologist, said most of the money was being spent on treating complications.

“Our study showed clearly that two thirds of all current expenditure on diabetes is for the treatment of high cost complications of diabetes - complications which are largely preventable by early assessment and preventive management,” he said.

“We argue strongly that the budget for diabetes care in Ireland needs to be invested in preventive care.”

Professor Nolan outlined a series of improvements which could bring costs down including early access to specialist assessment for all adults and children diagnosed with diabetes and regular reviews.

Early detection can protect against heart attack, stroke and vision loss.

The study, headed by the consultant, found diabetes costs €2,468 per patient a year in Ireland.

“It is a commonly stated myth that the Irish Government has invested massively in health, with no return,” the professor said.

“Our study shows that large sums of money are spent, but on treating preventable late complications of diabetes.”

According to the International Diabetes Federation diabetes is expected to rise by 71% worldwide by 2025 and medical experts believe Ireland is likely to experience a similar increase.

It is considered an epidemic by the World Health Organisation.

The CODEIRE study into diabetes in Ireland, led by Prof Nolan, won the overall prize at the Irish Healthcare Awards.