This report from the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit (NPDA) finds that the number of children and young people receiving care from a paediatric diabetes unit rose to 35,801 in England, Wales and Jersey in 2024/25, marking a 29% increase in caseload across England and Wales over the past decade.
72% of those with Type 1 diabetes aged 12 and above received all six ‘key’ annual health checks, compared to 66% in 2023/24
Other key messages include the facts that many young people with diabetes are not receiving all six annual health checks (as recommended by NICE), there is persistent variation in care and inequalities, and the rates of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at diagnosis remains high at 22%. The report also states that the national median HbA1c for Type 1 diabetes has reduced to 58.0 mmol/mol (a 13 mmol/mol reduction since 2010/11). The prevalence of early markers of microvascular and macrovascular disease remains largely unchanged.
This report contains five recommendations, targeted at national bodies to take action to continue to drive improvements and address areas where standards are not currently met:
- Assess paediatric diabetes workforce capacity against the Workforce Standards
- Invest in research to understand the progression from childhood signs of microvascular and macrovascular disease to the development of long-term diabetes complications
- Offer holistic, non-judgemental, multidisciplinary support to those who are overweight
- Review the current professional guidance and clinical pathways to ensure they adequately highlight the importance of timely detection of the early signs of diabetes
- Use NPDA data, alongside other trusted sources, to assess variation in care and outcomes.
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