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New requirements for how the NHS in Wales provides diabetes care have been published by the Welsh Government.

In its Quality Statement for Diabetes, the Welsh Government has set out the key priorities and expectations for better diabetes care in Wales.

It places more emphasis on supportive care, helping people learn to manage their condition well by taking part in educational programmes, having routine support from healthcare services and improving access to diabetes technology.

In Wales, around 16,000 people have Type 1 diabetes, with more than 190,000 having Type 2 – with around 10% of the population predicted to have diabetes by 2035.

The new approach includes a new remission service for newly diagnosed people who may be able to reverse the condition.

Meanwhile, an additional £1m is being invested each year in a pre-diabetes prevention programme as part of the wider £13m Healthy Weight Healthy Wales strategy.

Speaking on Tuesday June 13, Health minister Eluned Morgan said: “Today’s quality statement sets out how the NHS will diagnose and help people to manage their diabetes.

“It sets out the national priorities for service development and has a specific focus on prevention of Type 2 diabetes and more broadly the prevention of the serious complications that can come with diabetes.”

Mrs Morgan said it was “clear that we must do more” to prevent cases of Type 2 diabetes, which she said “make up about 90% of new cases”.

Rachel Burr, director of Diabetes UK Cymru, welcome the quality statement and said: “We’re hopeful it will bring about tangible improvement in care for people living with diabetes across Wales.”

She continued: “Diabetes is relentless, it impacts every aspect of a person’s life, and the lives of those close to them.

“People with all types of diabetes need access to routine screening and care, psychological support, and the offer of new technologies to be able to manage their diabetes in the best way possible.”