A CAMPAIGNER has called for action to tackle poor diabetes healthcare in Colchester.

Colchester’s Chris Chaplin, 67, who has Type 2 diabetes, travelled to Westminster to meet MP Sir Bob Russell as part of a lobbying event organised by Diabetes UK to launch its State of the Nation 2015 report.

The report revealed the poor state of diabetes healthcare in England is fuelling a major health crisis, which is leading to huge costs for the NHS.

Mrs Chaplin urged Sir Bob to write to the Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt.

She said: “While there have definitely been some really good changes and improvements to the delivery of diabetes care in the area, I know some people are still really struggling to get the care and support they need.

“In particular, vulnerable older people can suffer due to a lack of diabetes training amongst care staff.

“This is why I have directly appealed to Sir Bob to help ensure everyone with diabetes in Colchester gets the good quality healthcare they need.”

Sir Bob, the Liberal Democrat MP for Colchester, said: “It was really good to meet Mrs Chaplin and to hear about her concerns about the delivery of diabetes care.

“She made clear the poor state of diabetes care is not only personally devastating for all those involved, but is also leading to huge costs to the health service.

“The NHS is spending £10billion a year on diabetes, but this money is not being used effectively, which is clearly providing poor value for money for the taxpayer.

“I will be writing to the Health Secretary to urge him to set out how he intends to improve diabetes care. ”