Assembly 'delay' on diabetes test

Mr Vaghani discovered he had the disease after a blood test

The assembly government has been accused of dragging its feet over introducing diabetes checks for people in danger of developing the disease.

A year ago there was a unanimous vote by AMs to introduce regular testing for those at risk of Type 2 diabetes.

But Diabetes UK Cymru said there had been a delay in starting the tests, leaving up to 40,000 people in Wales not knowing they have the disesase.

The assembly government said a national testing framework is being implemented.

People can live with Type 2 diabetes for up to 12 years without realising they have it.

Diabetes UK Cymru said the condition is responsible for 9% of welsh hospital costs.

Two years ago Nanji Vaghani, 33, from Cardiff, went to an awareness session for diabetes in his local Hindu temple.

There he had a blood test which found that he had Type 2 diabetes which means that his body does not respond to his own insulin or does not create enough.

Although his parents have diabetes, the postmaster did not know he had it too.

Diabetes can be diagnosed with a blood test

He said: "I used to be healthy. Well I thought I lived a healthy life but I would not have thought of going to the doctors to be checked out.

"It's one of these things you don't really want to have."

People from Asian and Afro-Caribbean backgrounds are five times more likely to be suffering from the Type 2 condition.

A person's age, weight and family history of the condition are all factors, but a simple blood test can show if they are suffering from the disease.

Professor Rhys Williams from the clinical School at Swansea University said that there are advantages for a screening programme.

He said: "We know that there are a lot of people in Wales who have the Type 2 that do not know, and their doctors don't know.

"As we see it, it is an advantage to know this as soon as possible so we can treat the patients."

Professor Williams backs the idea of a screening programme

In February last year, AM's voted in favour of developing case finding throughout Wales of Type 2 diabetes, including regular screening targeted towards the members of the groups more likely to develop the condition.

Cardiff Diabetes UK Cymru said that the process is moving far too slowly.

"We are disappointed to think nothing has happened in the last year," said Andy Misell, Policy Officer for Diabetes UK Cymru.

"All we are asking is a sign of any sort that they are willing to go on.

"We realise things are not going to change overnight but there could be some move towards a pilot scheme of sort."

In a statement the Welsh Assembly Government said consultation groups together with local health boards and trust were developing a plan to introduce the steps needed to improve the services regarding diabetes.

It also said that all local health boards will give an outline of their effort for the next 10 years by the end of March.