According to a new research conducted by the Nuffield Department of Population Health at the University of Oxford with support from Diabetes UK, assisting individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) to meet their three treatment targets could result in substantial savings for the NHS.
It is estimated that the NHS could save ~£727 million over 10 years if all individuals with T2D aged ≥20 years in England and Wales met their three treatment targets set by NICE, i.e., blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Of >3 million individuals with T2D in England and Wales, a mere 39.8 per cent are currently achieving all three treatment targets.
The current expenditure of NHS England for treating all forms of diabetes is ~£10 billion each year. The research suggests that achieving all three targets could cut down the cost of treating diabetes-related complications by £1037 per patient over 10 years.
Nikki Joule, Policy Manager at Diabetes UK, said: "It’s vital that all people with diabetes are given the support they need to meet as many of their treatment targets as possible. This will help people with diabetes live longer, healthier lives and could also save money for our already stretched NHS."
