Wanted: Diabetes patients

A major drive is being launched across the UK aimed at finding a cure for diabetes.

The initiative aims to match thousands of diabetes patients with research projects to help progress trials and studies into the condition.

Evidence suggests that while 30% of cancer patients may be taking part in clinical trials, less than 1% of people with diabetes are involved in studies.

About 2.8 million people in the UK are known to have diabetes but the charity Diabetes UK believes another 800,000 people may not know they already have the disease.

Three areas in England - north-east London and the south-west and north-west of England - have been chosen to pilot a scheme which aims to offer 25,000 patients with any form of diabetes, the chance to take part in clinical trials or other forms of research.

Professor Martin Gibson, from the Diabetes Research Network at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust, says clinical trials are essential in order to find better treatments, or even a cure, for diabetes.

He said: “Pretty much everyone I talk to with diabetes is interested in research but they don’t get the opportunity.”

It is believed around 10% of the total NHS budget across the UK is spent on illnesses related to the disease.

Dr Iain Frame, director of research at Diabetes UK, said: "This is a huge opportunity for people with diabetes to play their part in crucial research that is piecing together the gaps in our knowledge and in our understanding of the condition.”

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