Diabetic patients occupy one in four beds in some hospitals

NHS figures reveal that more than a quarter of the beds in some hospitals are occupied by diabetic patients.

In a large hospital in Manchester, almost one-third of the day care patients had this condition. A London hospital said 27% of the beds were occupied by diabetics.

Five other trusts in England reported that patients with this disease accounted for at least a quarter of the beds at a time.

Hospitals are under additional pressure because of the number of diabetics in the system. Some units report that a quarter of the beds are used to treat the disease.

Type 2 diabetes is closely linked to obesity and costs the NHS £ 14 billion a year

NHS Digital figures reveal the impact that diabetes – which costs taxpayers £ 14 billion a year – on health services in squeaks, experts say it was "the biggest crisis in health of our time ". There are an estimated 4 million cases in Britain, almost double the number of 20 years ago.

Of these, 90% have type 2 diabetes, linked to obesity. It is thought that another million people live with the disease, but do not know that they have it.

Tam Fry, from the National Forum on Obesity, said the numbers were "really shocking" and should serve as a wake up call.

Diabetics tend to stay longer in the hospital compared to others because their recovery time is slower and they are more prone to infections. Mr. Fry said, "People need to remember that 90% of these diabetic patients have contracted the disease by being obese.

"This should be enough to encourage everyone to really consider healthy eating and to remind them that the government needs to support them to adopt a healthy lifestyle."

Emily Watts, Diabetes UK Inpatient Program Manager, said, "More than 1 million people with diabetes will be in hospital each year, and many of them – whatever the reason for their stay in the hospital – will experience a problem with their care.

"The result is longer stays in the hospital and patients are worried about their health.

"The NHS is under immense pressure … but the number of diabetic patients receiving inadequate care clearly demonstrates the need to do more to make hospitals safe for those living with this disease."

Nationally, approximately 18% of hospital beds are occupied by diabetic patients at a time. This figure has increased by 15% since 2011, although the numbers are much higher in some hot spots in the country.

NHS Digital figures are from a four-day hospital survey conducted in September 2017.

Some diabetic patients may have been admitted due to complications caused by the disease, but others will be admitted for unrelated reasons.

Complications can be serious and include kidney disease, liver disease, stroke, heart attack, blindness and nerve damage to the feet resulting in amputation.

The highest prevalence was recorded by Manchester University Hospitals, where 29% of the beds were occupied by diabetic patients.

Figures were 27% at Hillingdon Hospitals in West London, 26% at Birmingham City Hospital and just over 25% at Ealing Hospital, also located in West London.

The Bedford and West Cumberland hospitals in Whitehaven, Cumbria, recorded rates of exactly 25%.

It is becoming increasingly clear that diabetes can be reversed if patients lose a lot of weight. The NHS is currently running a pilot project involving patients receiving soups and shakes, totaling 850 calories a day for five months. If it is considered a success, the scheme will be extended to the whole country.

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