Councillors will have more influence than ever before on health policy - they must use its says charity
Candidates in the forthcoming council elections have been asked to show a greater awareness and understanding of diabetes and the impact it has on people, communities and the NHS.
Diabetes Scotland is reaching out to candidates across Scotland to educate them about the condition which affects over 285,000 Scots and costs NHS Scotland £1 billion annually, with around 80% spent on treating avoidable complications.
People affected by diabetes are encouraged to get involved by asking candidates to pledge to stand for the diabetes community.
Over 2,500 candidates are standing in the local council elections on 4 May and this is the first election since the integration of health and social care in April 2016.
The newly elected representatives will be given the opportunity to influence health and social care in a more significant way than those at any previous election, with councillors nominated to sit on Integration Joint Boards alongside NHS Scotland representatives.
Diabetes Scotland national director Kirsteen Murray said: “This local election is a crucial vote for the health of Scottish communities. We must ensure that the candidates we elect are bold enough to address the important issues which affect us all.
“Elected councillors who go on to represent their communities on Integration Joint Boards must challenge existing processes and ask the right questions such as ‘how are we supporting people living with diabetes in our community and how are we involving them in our decision-making? What is our performance on prevention, on treating diabetes and on preventing unnecessary expenditure on diabetes-related complications?’’
“With one in four of us living with or at risk of diabetes, the time has come for a revolution in understanding of diabetes.
“Everyone who is making decisions about health and social care must understand the real impact of diabetes on individuals, communities and our NHS. Furthermore, we must strive for high–quality, person-centred care that empowers people with diabetes to live well and reduce their risk of complications. In turn, we can reduce attendance at A&E, hospital admissions and length of stay to save NHS money.”
Diabetes Scotland is getting in touch with local election candidates to ensure the voice of the diabetes community is heard.
The charity has produced an information leaflet outlining some of the key facts about the condition and how it affects people and the health service.
