Caerphilly Labour AM Jeff Cuthbert expressed his support for a scheme offering free diabetes risk tests when he visited the Lloyds Pharmacy store in Caerphilly town centre. The scheme is designed to identify and counteract the high rate of people in Wales suffering from Type 2 diabetes and is set within a framework of initiatives promoting awareness of a healthy lifestyle.
There are already thousands of people with diabetes in the Caerphilly constituency alone and rates are set to steadily increase in the years ahead. The scheme, which ran in every one of the 700 community pharmacies in Wales finished running on 25 June, was very successful with around 30 people asking to be tested in the Caerphilly Lloyds pharmacy. Those identified as being at an increased risk, were advised what the next steps were to take precautions against developing full Type 2 diabetes.
Jeff Cuthbert AM said:
“This initiative proves that people recognise and appreciate schemes designed to advise them on their health and it is on this very basis of pro-active pharmacies and organisations that we can establish a dialogue and cooperation for the future. It’s great that Community Pharmacy Wales and Diabetes UK Cymru were able to work together to offer this testing to people across Wales.”
“It is crucial that we raise as much awareness as possible about this epidemic. Already the NHS spends £500m a year in Wales on diabetes care and treatment. There are 7,000 people a year diagnosed with diabetes and it is the 5th most common cause of death. I think those facts speak for themselves.’
Jeff is a Type 2 diabetic and has long been a committed supporter of Diabetes UK Cymru and founded the Cross-Party Group on Diabetes in the National Assembly for Wales in 2009.
