11. Short Debate: A call for GPs to undertake routine screening for type 1 diabetes in children and young people

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 6:24 pm on 6 December 2017.

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Photo of Mark Reckless Mark Reckless Conservative 6:24, 6 December 2017

My exposure to type 1 diabetes mainly came through attending summer camps with the BDA, the forerunner of Diabetes UK, with my father, a doctor, and my mother, a nurse, who helped run those camps for young diabetes. Janet mentioned only, I think, 0.2 per cent of children have type 1 diabetes and some would feel very isolated and wouldn't feel normal or understood because of having to inject themselves regularly. So, I think that was so useful for them and raising awareness in the way Janet suggests I think will also help on that front.

I think also what she says about the four Ts and having the GP respond to those by doing the finger-prick test is a better way of dealing with what was suggested they're doing in Aneurin Bevan, and also, I think, maybe the NICE guidance, of referring to a separate centre, because that test is so easy for a GP to do. It can also rule out ones who would not otherwise need to be tested, if they don't have type 1 diabetes, and I trust it will be met with much more enthusiasm by GPs than what they had to do, I think, several decades ago, which was taste the patient's urine to see if it was sweet. A little blood test, I think, is more realistic, and is the way forward.