The challenge

The population of London, based on the 2001, census is 7,172,091 people. Diabetes is a major health concern for London, costing the NHS an estimated £3 million per day and affects more than 350,000 people in the capital. This number is predicted to rise by 200,000 over the next 20 years. NHS Diabetes is committed to making sure everyone with diabetes in London has access to the right care and treatment.

While prevalence of diabetes is high, the standards of services offered in London, compared with the rest of the country is poor. There is a huge variation in service provision and health outcomes for diabetes in London. The number of people with diabetes is particularly high in deprived areas and is more common in people from South Asia, Caribbean and Africa. Prevalence of diabetes is 3 to 4 times higher in black and South Asian communities and up to five times higher in Pakistani and Bangladeshi communities.

London is performing poorly in diagnosing diabetes. It is estimated about quarter of all people with diabetes may not be aware they have it.

NHS Diabetes regional highlights

• Established a Paediatric Diabetes Partnership Board for London and the South East Coast.
• Linking with Healthcare for London (until March 2011).
• Working with commissioning support for London on care planning in diabetes.
• Established Pan-London Diabetes Foot Care Network.