Diabetes UK launches a new Children's Charter petition to campaign for better care and support

Thursday, 12 August 2010 12:00 AM

Some children can experience bullying and discrimination because of their diabetes and should be given more support to lead full and healthy lives, according to leading health charity Diabetes UK.

There are 20,000 children under the age of 15 with Type 1 diabetes in the UK and it is estimated that a further 2,000 children are diagnosed every year. Diabetes UK is gathering thousands of signatures on a petition to give children with diabetes more of a voice and help highlight the needs of children and their families.

The Children's Charter for Diabetes report was developed by gathering views from children, families and healthcare professionals about the care and emotional support that children need. It sets out ten policy statements representing what Diabetes UK believes must happen to ensure high quality care.

Emotional wellbeing is one area of particular concern. Half of young people questioned said they needed to talk to someone about coping with their diabetes. Children raised fears about complications, problems with bullying and the impact on family.

87 per cent of young people said they never see a psychologist. Clinical guidelines [1] recognise that children and young people with diabetes are more vulnerable to emotional problems and the Diabetes UK Children's Charter calls for psychological support to be an integral part of diabetes services.

"I would like to have more help with the emotional side of diabetes because I do get quite upset about it. I wish I had someone else to talk to about it." (Daisy, 12, North Yorkshire)

"My friends refused to go into town with me because they were worried about me fainting. I made no fuss, but I was very upset inside" (Naomi, aged 12, Devon)

"I wish all children could have an insulin pump if they want one. Also, Mummy says a lot of children are not cared for in school and that makes me sad"
(Claudia, aged 9, Lancashire)

"When I was younger it was very hard because not many children invited me to play at their houses because their parents didn't know how to look after my diabetes"
(Jake, aged 10, Northamptonshire)

"I feel different because people thought I was skiving and eating stuff for the fun of it"
(Becky, aged 15, Derbyshire)

"When I do my injections sometimes this girl always moans at me and says 'why do you have to do that, it's disgusting' but I have to do it because it's essential" (Alice, aged 15, Kent)

The Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, Douglas Smallwood, says "There are many examples of good practice which need to be built upon to improve the situation for all children. It is unacceptable that some children are made to feel different and isolated and there is a lot of misunderstanding and ignorance that can lead to bullying or discrimination.

The emotional impact of diabetes on children's wellbeing is a very serious issue and it can influence how well they manage their diabetes. Without proper management, diabetes can lead to serious health complications in the future, such as blindness, heart disease, stroke and amputation. The Children's Charter for Diabetes is responding to what children, families and healthcare professionals say they want and need, and I urge everyone to sign the petition calling for children's emotional and medical needs to be given more priority."

Diabetes UK hopes to gather thousands of signatures on the Children's Charter petition, available to sign and print off from www.diabetes.org.uk
The petition will be delivered to Government in the autumn.

- ENDS -

NOTES FOR EDITORS

ISDN facilities available at Diabetes UK head office

For further media information please email Ally.MacDonald@diabetes.org.uk or call 0207 4241161
or contact the Diabetes UK Media Relations Team on 0207 424 1165 or email pressteam@diabetes.org.uk.">

Interviews are available with children who have diabetes, and their parents, and with spokespeople from Diabetes UK.

REFERENCES

[1] NICE (2004). CG 15 Type 1 Diabetes in children, young people and adults

For urgent out of hours Diabetes UK media enquiries, please call 07711 176 028.

About Diabetes UK

1.Diabetes UK is the leading charity for the three million people in the UK with diabetes. We aim to spend more than £6.5 million on research in 2010 as well as campaigning and providing information and support. For more information visit www.diabetes.org.uk

2.In the UK, there are currently 2.6 million people diagnosed with diabetes. A recent report by the YHPHO estimated the number of undiagnosed at 1.1 million.

3.The Diabetes UK Careline (0845 120 2960) offers information and support on any aspect of managing diabetes. The line is a low cost number and opens Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (operates a translation service). Recorded information on a number of diabetes-related topics is also available on this number 24 hours a day.

4. Supporting our work to fund vital research into the care, treatment and hopefully a cure for diabetes as a Diabetes UK Supporting Member entitles you to a range of benefits including our bi-monthly magazine Balance, reliable information booklets on diabetes, our confidential Diabetes UK Careline, over 400 local Diabetes UK support groups, and access to an exclusive personalised Supporting Members Area on our website.

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