CONCERNS have been raised that diabetes patients in East Lancashire are not getting the support they need.

Diabetes UK campaigners said the current care models are ineffective in tackling the disease, which is leading to avoidable deaths, increasing complication rates and huge costs to the NHS.

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If managed poorly, diabetes can lead to complications such as blindness, amputations, kidney failure, stroke and early death.

But the latest National Diabetes Audit showed just 32 per cent of all diabetes patients in Blackburn with Darwen and east Lancashire achieved their six treatment targets, which relate to blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol levels, in 2012-13. This was below the national average of 36 per cent and among the worst 25, out of 200-plus areas, in England.

Meanwhile, both areas performed better than average on offering regular checks to patients but had very low numbers of patients taking education courses to help manage their condition.

This problem has previously been highlighted by Gordon Dixon, chairman of the Ribble Valley branch of Diabetes UK, who has been disappointed by the response from health chiefs.

Blackburn with Darwen Clinical Commissioning Group did not respond.

But East Lancashire CCG said it recognises the need to review diabetes services to focus more on preventive mechanisms.

It said it commissions preventive services such as stop-smoking clinics and has agreed a further programme of education for patients over the coming 12 months.

Barbara Young, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said of the national picture: “Better ongoing standards of care will save money and reduce pressure on NHS resources.

“This is about people getting the checks they need at their GP surgery and giving people the support they need to be able to manage their condition.”