Over 31,000 have signed up for the HSE’s new diabetes cycle since September 8

Approximately 5.6 per cent of the adult population in Ireland, or 190,000 people, have diabetes with Type 2 diabetes accounting for over 85 per cent of these cases.

It is estimated that 35,000 of Type 2 diabetes cases remain un-diagnosed.

The new service starts this Thursday at participating GP clinics, and allows qualifying adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes to have their condition reviewed thoroughly twice a year. It’s estimated that around 70,000 patients with Type 2 Diabetes will be eligible.

“This is a major step forward in expanding the scope of general practice into chronic disease management,” said Minister Varadkar.

“It allows patients with Type 2 Diabetes to be managed in the community, by their own GP and practice nurse they know, rather than in a hospital clinic where they might have to queue for hours to see a different doctor each time.

“This is better for patients and it also frees up hospital resources for more complex cases. I hope that the Diabetes Cycle of Care service will be used as a model for more chronic diseases to be looked after in the community, including COPD, asthma and heart failure.”

<span style=”font-size: medium;”><span style=”font-family: Arial;”> </span></span>Minister Lynch said “through the Diabetes Cycle of Care we are encouraging and facilitating people to play a greater role in managing their illness.”