Welcome

There are over 2.3 million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK and a further 300 are diagnosed every day. It is estimated that more than 500,000 people in the UK have diabetes but don't know it. Diabetes is a serious condition, which if left untreated can lead to life threatening complications such as heart disease, stroke, lower limb amputation and blindness. It is estimated that diabetes costs the NHS five per cent of its budget every year.

Diabetes UK is the largest organisation in the UK working for people with diabetes. Our main activities includes funding research, campaigning and helping people living with the condition, their carers, family and friends.

We represent the interests of people with diabetes by lobbying the government for better standards of care and the best quality of life.

We are one of the largest patient organisations in Europe, with over 170,000 members.

Diabetes UK mission:

Our mission is to improve the lives of people with diabetes and work towards a future without diabetes:

. We campaign for better standards of care for people with diabetes.
. We are the largest funder in the UK of research into better treatments for diabetes and the search for a cure.
. We provide practical support and information and safety-net services to help people manage their diabetes.

What we do:

Campaigning:
By developing strong policies and ideas we work to influence government and the NHS to achieve the standards of care that people with diabetes deserve. We also work hard to raise awareness of diabetes and the issues which affect people with the condition amongst healthcare professionals, people with diabetes and the public.

Research:
Diabetes UK's research budget for 2008 is £7.38 million - our biggest ever - funding research into basic and clinical science and into issues which improve care for people with diabetes. We also campaign to get more funds into diabetes research.

Information:
Diabetes UK provides high quality information for people with diabetes and healthcare professionals through leaflets, books and on the Internet. We also provide a Diabetes UK Careline, a telephone information and support service staffed by trained counsellors.