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The final item of business is a members’ business debate on motion S7M-01544, in the name of Colm Merrick, on world diabetes day 2026. The debate will be concluded without any question being put.
Motion debated,
That the Parliament marks World Diabetes Day 2026, which takes place on 14 November; considers that this year’s theme, Early Action on Diabetes, alongside its goals of early detection, symptom awareness and complication prevention, is timely given that almost half of all people living with diabetes remain undiagnosed, and believes that technology and innovation are central to transforming diabetes management and prevention, while noting the need to couple technological innovation with action to tackle the equity gap, ensuring that advances in diabetes prevention, diagnosis and treatment are accessible to all, and do not widen existing health inequalities.
17:18
I thank my MSP colleagues for making time to be here; your presence is greatly appreciated. I also extend the warmest of welcomes to our guests in the public gallery, and in particular to the apple of my eye: my favourite daughter, Anna. She is the one who is blushing now, but I should say that she is also my only daughter. [Laughter.]
Like her brother and me, Anna lives with type 1 diabetes. We will be gathering in committee room 3 after the debate, and I invite members to drop in if they would like to join us for a blether.
This evening, we recognise world diabetes day, albeit nine days in advance of 14 November. Our theme this year is early action on diabetes, because we now know the importance of prevention, early detection and support to allow folk with diabetes to live well.
Managing diabetes still requires making hundreds of microdecisions—around 180 extra decisions every single day, according to estimates. That is because blood sugar fluctuates constantly, based on almost countless factors. For a person with diabetes, every activity, meal and feeling requires active evaluation and consideration of factors including carb counting, bolus timing, food choices and substitutions, portion control, correction planning, medication, insulin management, insulin on-board calculations, site decisions, correction factors, incidents of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia and so on.
Although we have come a long way in the 100-plus years since Banting and Best first isolated insulin, we still have work to do. On diabetes, this Parliament still has work to do, too. To that end, we are moving towards re-establishing the cross-party group on diabetes, so I ask members to please consider joining us.
Some 380,000 people in Scotland currently live with a diabetes diagnosis. That is 7 per cent of our population, and it includes all manifestations of diabetes: type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes and other less common forms such as type 3c, maturity-onset diabetes of the young, and neonatal diabetes.
Diabetes is very much more than merely a medical condition: it impacts every part of the lives of people affected, including individuals, families and communities across our country. We must recognise the relentlessness of the condition and the corresponding commitment that is needed to manage it on a daily basis. Thousands of people in Scotland live with diabetes without even knowing it. Undiagnosed diabetes can lead to serious complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage and sight loss.
Allow me to journey from the head to the toes to describe the nature of the diabetes beast. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of preventable blindness among working-age adults in the United Kingdom. Diabetes is the single leading cause of kidney failure in Scotland and globally. Diabetic foot complications account for most non-injury-related amputations that are performed in Scottish national health service hospitals. However, early detection saves lives and can prevent those and other serious complications. Awareness and prevention must be embedded in our communities and healthcare services.
It is important to recognise the common outward symptoms of diabetes, so I must mention those highlighted in the four Ts campaign run by Diabetes Scotland and Diabetes UK. T1—toilet: somebody going to the loo too frequently. T2—thirsty: there is an increased, ravenous thirst. T3—tired: unusual and excessive tiredness. T4—thinner: unexplained weight loss. So: toilet, thirsty, tired and thinner—if you see anyone with those symptoms, pay attention to that.
I think that I have painted a realistic but dark picture, so I will talk about how we fight back against these challenges and how our Parliament can fight back.
Technology and innovation offer enormous opportunities, but they must be accessible to everyone. Technology can reduce some of the current daily burden of managing diabetes, providing greater independence, flexibility and, most notably, confidence. Innovation also offers opportunities to improve prevention, risk identification and personalised treatment.
The Scottish Government’s commitment to the roll-out of hybrid closed-loop technology has seen a significant number of people living with type 1 diabetes access that technology, which I will call HCL from now on in my remarks. Since 2024, more than 2,500 people have accessed HCL through the national onboarding closed-loop system programme. I am one of the beneficiaries of that roll-out and I can testify that it is life changing.
With sustained investment, there is an opportunity to continue to reap the benefits of diabetes technology, but we must ensure that everyone who can benefit from such technology has fair and equitable access, because people with diabetes and their families and carers deserve nothing less.
I thank Maree Todd, the Minister for Mental Wellbeing, Public Health, Sport, Alcohol and Drugs, for her answer to my earlier call in Parliament to expand access to HCL technology. I welcome the commitment to provide ongoing funding and resources to deliver diabetes technology, including HCL systems, to people living with diabetes across Scotland regardless of where they live or their background.
Friends, in our hands we have preventative medicine that works. So, on this world diabetes day, let us recognise how far diabetes care has advanced but also acknowledge how much more remains to be done. Every action means recognising the symptoms, ensuring timely diagnosis, preventing avoidable complications and supporting people with diabetes to live well. It also means embracing opportunities that are presented by technology and innovation while ensuring that nobody is left behind.
Let us use world diabetes day not simply to raise awareness but to renew our commitment to taking action, to achieving better outcomes and, most importantly, to securing a brighter future for everyone living with, or at risk of developing, diabetes.
We move to the open debate, with speeches of up to four minutes, please.
17:26
I am grateful to Colm Merrick for bringing this motion to Parliament, and for the opportunity to contribute to this important debate and to stand with the diabetes community across Scotland.
On the afternoon of 3 April last year, I had a really bad headache. I went home that night and went to bed at half past 8. That was not like me, and I thought that I would sleep it off. The following morning, I woke up and still did not feel too great. I was the Minister for Housing at the time, and I had a committee appearance that day. I picked up the folder to read over my notes but I could not read what was in front of me. It was like a mess of letters—it was not blurred vision; nothing made sense at all.
I checked my blood pressure, and it was 206/130. I thought that that was not good, so I phoned 101 and an ambulance was sent. I was told that I was at risk of a stroke, and I was taken to hospital. When I arrived, I was seen straight away. I had an electrocardiogram and various other tests, including a blood sugar test. I was told pretty quickly that I had diabetes and high blood pressure, and that I needed medication for the conditions. I was shocked, I was scared and I felt very vulnerable.
I had ignored the warning signs that Colm Merrick mentioned, including tingling in my hands and toes, blurred vision and needing to go to the toilet frequently. I made a pledge to myself that day to lose weight and improve my diet. I pledged to lose a pound a week, and I lost 50 pounds in five months through walking and eating more sensibly. I reversed my diagnosis in six months, and I maintain that position today. However, the threat of relapse is always on my mind.
Type 2 diabetes is one of the major and growing health challenges that faces our nation. It develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or cannot produce enough to keep blood glucose levels normal. Although it cannot always be prevented, there are clear opportunities to delay or prevent its onset through early identification and effective intervention.
The latest figures from the Scottish diabetes survey make the scale of the challenge stark. As Colm Merrick mentioned, almost 380,000 people in Scotland live with diabetes, which is nearly 7 per cent of the population. Of those, 336,000 have type 2 diabetes, which accounts for 88 per cent of all cases. In the most recent year for which we have figures, more than 25,000 people received a new diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Worryingly, the highest increase in new diagnoses is among people under 40. That is a trend that we cannot ignore. We know the risk factors well: overweight and obesity, physical inactivity, diet, family history, age, ethnicity, previous gestational diabetes, and deprivation.
Developing type 2 diabetes is not simply a matter of individual lifestyle choices. The wider determinants of health and the environments in which people live, work, learn and access care exert a powerful influence. Public Health Scotland has shown marked and widening socioeconomic inequalities with regard to diabetes, with people in our most deprived communities being more likely to develop type 2 diabetes than those in the least deprived areas. The Scottish health survey underlines that point, showing that obesity rates stand at 36 per cent in the most deprived areas, compared with 24 per cent in the least deprived areas.
Type 2 diabetes brings poorer health and reduced wellbeing, high rates of complications, reduced economic activity, greater pressure on NHS services and increased demands on families and unpaid carers.
However, there is hope. For some people, remission is achievable, given the right care and support. More than 6,000 people in Scotland have already been identified as being in remission from type 2 diabetes. Important tools are available, including the digital national diabetes prevention programme and the national digital type 2 diabetes remission programme. Those must be properly supported. The level of investment needs to be more ambitious if we are to match the scale of the challenge.
Looking ahead, we must prioritise prevention, tackle health inequalities head on, improve awareness and early identification, and ensure better access to interventions and support. In particular, we need a renewed approach to target those aged under 40, for whom the rise in new diagnoses is most concerning.
People who live with or are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes deserve action that matches the urgency of the situation. By focusing on prevention, addressing the root causes that are linked to poverty and inequality, and scaling up effective support, we can make a real difference. I urge colleagues to give the issue the priority that it deserves.
17:30
I thank Colm Merrick for securing this important debate and Paul McLennan for sharing his story.
I am pleased to contribute on behalf of the Labour Party to marking world diabetes day 2026, and I recognise this year’s theme of early action on diabetes. If members do not mind my doing so, I also want to mention a former colleague, Emma Harper. Emma was extremely generous in sharing her experiences and expertise—I debated with her many times on the issue of diabetes. Her input on this subject is sadly missed.
As other members have said, diabetes is one of the most significant and growing health challenges that Scotland faces. Members might know that I worked in that area many years ago. Sometimes, I can be saddened by the advances that we have not made, which make me realise that there is still more work to do. That is why debates such as this one are really important.
The numbers are high: 380,000 people live with a diagnosis of diabetes, and that number continues to rise. We suspect that many people are living with the condition but do not know it. I hope that they do not ignore the symptoms, and I encourage them to come forward.
Will Carol Mochan take an intervention?
Of course.
I declare an interest in that I am a registered mental health nurse in NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
On the point about the challenges that people face, including those who have long and enduring mental health issues, there has been progress to tackle the culture around those challenges, and we are now far better at doing so. However, does Carol Mochan agree that there is still more opportunity for us to make those improvements?
Michelle Campbell is absolutely right, particularly in relation to more vulnerable groups of people who may have other ongoing conditions and who might not recognise that they have diabetes. It is important that we look at that.
My next point is about early action—it is about saving lives. We know that, for diabetes, getting people diagnosed earlier is actually saving lives. It can also prevent serious complications that can cause problems for people’s quality of life and that put pressure on our national health service. So, it is important that we make sure that such early intervention can be made.
I also want to mention the issue of inequalities. The opening speaker mentioned it, and it is so important to our constituents. If we do not tackle health inequalities in general, we are not doing what we should be doing. For diabetes in particular, inequality in diagnosis and treatment means that people’s opportunities to access diabetes care are taken away. We must tackle the inequalities that come with the condition.
We have made extraordinary advances in diabetes care. There are monitors, insulin pumps and hybrid closed-loop technologies. Even though I worked in that area in the past, I will not pretend that I understand it all now. I am so pleased that we have made those advances, but everybody should be able to access such facilities. Again, recognising such inequality is really important.
The helpful thing about a debate like this is that we get a chance to speak to the minister and the minister can then respond. It would be good to know what we are doing in Scotland to raise public awareness of the symptoms of diabetes and to make sure that that inequality is tackled.
Some of the advances we need to make will be to ensure that everybody has access. If world diabetes day is about anything, it should serve as a reminder of the work that we still have to do to ensure that people get the healthcare that they need.
17:35
Presiding Officer, I apologise if I should need to leave the chamber early to allow me to catch a train. I hope that I will manage to stay, though.
I thank Colm Merick for securing the debate. I also thank Diabetes UK and Diabetes Scotland for their briefings, their information and all that they do, and I thank the people in the gallery who are here to see what we might do in the Scottish Parliament. I hope that they will find that we are taking their views on board.
Checks and treatment make a huge difference to people’s outcomes. From personal experience, I know that, sadly, many people with diabetes do not always follow what is recommended on those aspects. Perhaps that is because they get into a habit of thinking, “I am doing all right and I do not feel too bad.” I credit Paul McLennan for recognising what had happened to him and taking action. His weight loss is impressive. However, some people do not manage to follow the protocol.
Specialist diabetes nurses can make a huge difference. Their personal interaction and encouragement set an example for people with other long-term conditions for which we do not have specialist workers—I am thinking of chronic illnesses.
The increase in the number of people diagnosed has a huge impact on the NHS. There is also an impact on, and a risk to, the individuals affected. Younger adults are increasingly affected by type 2 diabetes, which creates a ticking time bomb for us and presents a huge issue for them. We have heard about the impact that the condition can have. As I said, I credit Paul McLennan, who is an example to others who are trying to deal with that.
The national digital diabetes remission programme seems promising, and we need to keep working on technology that can help. However, there must be equity in access across the country.
Type 1 diabetes in children and young people is on the increase in the UK, mirroring broader global trends. I could not find figures for Scotland when I was looking, so perhaps the minister could tell us whether Scotland mirrors that. As I think might have been mentioned, type 1 diabetes is caused by an autoimmune response. It is not the same as type 2, which is caused by lifestyle factors. Data for England and Wales shows a clear upward trend in the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in children and teenagers during the past decade. There was a substantial post-pandemic surge. There was a 14 per cent rise in new diagnoses among young people in the first year of the pandemic and a 27 per cent rise in the second year. Who knows what that was due to? Who knows whether it had something to do with diagnosis or lagging? We need to discover and be aware of the reasons for that.
The UK has one of the highest rates of children and young people living with type 1 diabetes in western Europe. Roughly 30,000 to 35,000 children and young people aged under 19 in the UK are affected. It is a huge thing for a child or young person to receive such a diagnosis. The condition cannot be cured, and they are looking at a lifetime of careful interaction, which even adults find difficult to manage. Ongoing support and appropriate treatment are key.
I make a plea for more autoimmune illnesses to be researched. There are also increases in the number of people diagnosed with such illnesses, so I hope that we can look at research on those as well. Tackling type 1 diabetes must be high on our agenda.
17:38
I thank Colm Merrick for securing this debate in advance of world diabetes day. I also thank the people in the public gallery and those who are listening online. This is an important opportunity to discuss diabetes. I thank those involved in researching the condition and supporting those living with it. I want to raise awareness of and create discussion about the theme of this year’s campaign, which centres on the huge difference that early action and intervention can make.
It would be impossible to discuss diabetes without first recognising that the rates of cases in Scotland continue to increase. Around 90 per cent of new cases are of type 2 diabetes, the majority of which are weight related, as Paul McLennan mentioned. Although NHS Tayside figures sit at around the Scottish average level, I understand from conversations with local people that in my city, Dundee, we continue to have some of the highest levels of diabetes in Scotland, and the number of amputations from complications continues to be very high there. That is hardly surprising when factors such as obesity, diabetes and deprivation are all intrinsically linked.
I am grateful for the work of many in Dundee who support people living with diabetes, including organisations such as Heart Space, which runs an inspiring yoga class for people who now have to use wheelchairs. I am also glad to highlight the fact that NHS Tayside’s Type 2 Tayside initiative has seen 50 per cent of those who enrol in its type 2 diabetes remission programme reverse their diabetes. That is real progress.
I am also pleased to report that research and development in Dundee has ensured that people with diabetes are properly resourced to manage their condition. The My Diabetes My Way resource was developed by a team at My Way Digital Health and has become a game changer for people living with diabetes in Scotland. Some members who are here today may have met Dr Scott Cunningham, the co-founder of My Way Digital Health, when he was here recently for a Universities Scotland reception. His company’s flagship resource was possible only due to research and clinical innovation first carried out at the University of Dundee. More than 55,000 people across Scotland now regularly use My Diabetes My Way as part of ongoing management of their condition.
Given the resource’s development in Dundee, it cannot be surprising that Tayside is the area with the highest uptake, with more than one third of those living with diabetes now having registered to use the app and access their data. We know that better self-management and people having more access to their own data can ensure that power to prevent their condition from worsening is in their own hands. There have been demonstrable benefits for patients, with an evaluation of My Diabetes My Way finding improvements in weight, diastolic blood pressure, and cholesterol among those who use the app as soon as one year after they first log in. Those benefits for both users and the NHS are estimated to save £5 for every £1 spent on the service.
There is room for the resource to be expanded, as it has been in other areas of the UK. In London, it is also being used to deliver personalised lifestyle programmes such as weight tracking and the monitoring of risk factors in an effort to reduce obesity levels and to delay or prevent progression to type 2 diabetes. Given that success in assisting those who are already living with diabetes, I hope that the Scottish Government will look at whether My Diabetes My Way can be scaled up and rolled out to cover more of Scotland and will also investigate ways in which that approach to the self-management of health can be adapted to cover conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney failure and many others.
As we have heard, early diagnosis, prevention and self-management all work. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this evening’s debate.
17:43
I am pleased to contribute to this debate and thank Colm Merrick for bringing it to Parliament.
I was pleased to hear about my colleague Paul McLennan’s experience, which was very similar to mine. Three years on from a pre-diabetes diagnosis and a heart attack, I have lost three stone. I am sure that everyone will agree that he and I are now Adonises after our weight loss. I thank the diabetes nurse at my GP practice in Kirkcudbright for helping me on my journey.
I remind Mr Carson to speak to the motion.
I am getting there. I am sure that members will catch on.
This year’s theme of early action on diabetes is particularly important because, whether we are talking about type 1 or type 2 diabetes, early diagnosis, early intervention and effective long-term management make a life-changing difference. We know that diabetes is one of the biggest long-term health challenges facing Scotland, that many people are still living with undiagnosed diabetes and that, unless action is taken, the number of people affected will continue to rise.
We also know something else, which is that technology is transforming what it means to live with diabetes. For many years now, I have worked alongside people living with diabetes, their families, campaign groups, charities and clinicians to try to improve access to the latest technology and treatment. I have met the parents of children with type 1 diabetes who describe the worry they feel every night as they wonder whether their child’s blood glucose levels will remain stable while they sleep.
I have met young people, including Maisie Anderson from Kirkcudbright, who has been a passionate diabetes campaigner for years, who want nothing more than to live a normal life without diabetes dominating every aspect of their day. I have met adults who have managed their condition for decades, who know only too well the impact it can have on their health and wellbeing. From all those conversations, one message has come through loud and clear—that, when the right technology is available, it can be absolutely transformational.
Over the years, I have met a number of companies at the forefront of developing diabetes technology and have seen at first hand how quickly innovation is moving and how devices are becoming more sophisticated, more accurate and easier for patients to use. From continuous glucose monitoring to insulin pumps and hybrid closed-loop systems, the progress has been nothing short of miraculous.
It is important to say that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, because different people need different systems. The different lifestyles, ages and clinical circumstances of people with diabetes mean that flexibility and choice really matter. The aim should not simply be to provide technology, but to ensure that people can access the technology that is right for them and that allows them to manage their condition as effectively as possible. That is why access matters so much.
For almost a decade, I have raised the issue of access to technology and have pressed ministers on the provision of insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring and, recently, hybrid closed-loop systems. I welcomed the decision to provide national funding to accelerate the roll-out of that technology, because the evidence on its effectiveness was clear. Those systems improve glucose control, reduce the risk of dangerous episodes and long-term complications, and remove some of the relentless burden of managing type 1 diabetes every day.
Despite all the progress that has been made, there remain concerns about what will happen next. Recently, I was contacted by a constituent from Dumfries and Galloway who told me that she is one of more than 250 people who are waiting for access to an insulin pump; in fact, she believes that she has been waiting for about four years. That is not acceptable.
At the same time, I have heard from families whose lives have been transformed by hybrid closed-loop systems. Those who have benefited include young people who are sleeping better, parents who finally have some reassurance at night and people who have gained greater confidence, independence and control over their condition. We should strive to ensure that more people benefit from such systems. That is why I share the concerns that Diabetes Scotland has expressed regarding the ending of central funding arrangements for hybrid closed-loop technology. I worry that putting more responsibility on already stretched health boards risks creating a postcode lottery across Scotland, with longer waiting lists for access to the technology. We cannot allow that to happen.
The motion rightly highlights the importance of tackling inequalities. Innovation is truly successful only if everybody can benefit from it. We need to recognise the benefits of such provision and invest in an intervention that prevents complications before they occur. We must support people to live healthier and longer lives, while ensuring that Scotland continues to be a leader in the adoption of the technology. The real question is whether we have the determination to ensure that everybody who could benefit from the advantages of the technology can access it. If we get that right, we will not only improve lives but reduce pressure on our NHS and create a fairer system for everyone living with diabetes, which is a goal that I am sure that we all share.
17:48
I congratulate Colm Merrick on securing the debate. I also congratulate Diabetes Scotland on all the very effective work that it does in supporting and advocating for people who live with diabetes. I am not one of those, although I recognise that, as I get older, I might not be as fit as I should be and that I need to get the Adonis body that Finlay Carson now has.
As others have said, the theme of this year’s world diabetes day—early action on diabetes—represents an important call for the Government and health boards to put early detection, symptom awareness and complication prevention at the heart of their strategies on diabetes. That is particularly important in rural and island communities, where access to health services is often very challenging.
Like Finlay Carson, I was concerned to learn that the Scottish Government has ended centralised funding for hybrid closed-loop systems with effect from 2026-27. Although I support decisions being taken at a local level, we are concerned that that sudden decision might lead to funding cuts by some health boards and a postcode lottery for those who require support. I would welcome the minister sharing any thoughts that she has on that.
I had not intended to speak in the debate, but I decided to do so because, yesterday, I attended a round-table event with the Road Haulage Association, which included a presentation from the Diabetes Safety Organisation. I admit that I do not know much about diabetes, but I was fascinated by the discussion. It was interesting to hear participants’ thoughts on the number of freight drivers who are living with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.
I heard that one in every 11 people in our society has diabetes. However, for a commercial driver the rate is one in six; for a commercial driver aged over 55, it is one in three. Many drivers are developing very serious complications and, as a result, they are leaving the sector, which is adding to the existing challenge of driver shortages. I hope to do some follow-up work with the Diabetes Safety Organisation, as the freight sector is vital for our economy, as I think we all agree. I hope that we can find a way to support employers as they support their drivers and encourage them to seek help to avoid developing type 2 diabetes.
On that point about education among employers and the general public, early intervention—which is the focus of the debate—is so critical. It can be about how the condition presents. Someone could be acting out of character, for instance. They might just need to go and get something, as they might be on a hypo. If people are not aware of that, they might struggle to support their employees. Such an incident can be embarrassing for the person as well. It is important for us as a society to continue work on education, so that it has genuine action attached to it. Does the member feel that that is a reasonable point to make?
That is exactly the right point to make. As I say, I am not coming to this from the perspective of knowing a lot, which is why I would like to meet representatives of the Diabetes Safety Organisation again. The lady I was speaking to yesterday was making the point that neither the employers nor the drivers are particularly clued up about diabetes, and they are not recognising the symptoms. They are therefore not getting early intervention before developing much more complicated conditions, which then puts strain on the NHS.
I wanted to raise that point today and to encourage all employers and drivers in the road haulage sector to go and get checked if they feel that diabetes might be a concern.
17:51
I am very grateful to Colm Merrick for bringing this important debate to the chamber ahead of world diabetes day.
Diabetes affects hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland, and it has a significant impact on individuals, families and carers. Managing the condition can be challenging and, without effective support and treatment, it can lead to serious long-term complications. Today’s debate has provided us with an opportunity to recognise those living with diabetes and to reaffirm our commitment to prevention, early diagnosis, effective treatment and high-quality support.
I thank Colm Merrick for sharing his own experience of living with type 1 diabetes. We sometimes underestimate that challenge, particularly in a job such as ours, with its unpredictable hours and unpredictable eating options. The challenge of managing a condition such as diabetes in an environment such as this is significant, so I thank Colm Merrick for sharing that.
Thanks to the twin Adonises—is it Adoni or Adonises?—Paul McLennan and Fin Carson, for sharing their experience of type 2 diabetes and for reminding all of us here in the chamber, and those who might be watching at home, that it can be a reversible disease, which gives us hope on that front.
Thanks very much to Carol Mochan for mentioning our former colleague Emma Harper, who was such a fierce champion for diabetes awareness in debates here. Thinking of Emma and her family full of sisters and a mum who had diabetes, I can feel her handing the baton on to Colm Merrick and his family, to ensure that all of us in the Parliament understand the impact of diabetes on everyday life.
I welcome this year’s world diabetes day theme, which is early action on diabetes. Whether it is through prevention, greater awareness of symptoms, earlier diagnosis or reducing the risk of complications, timely action improves outcomes and helps people to live longer, healthier lives.
I agree that awareness of the symptoms of type 1 diabetes is vital to supporting earlier diagnosis and addressing the risk of serious complications. Initiatives such as the four Ts campaign help to raise awareness of the key symptoms of type 1 diabetes—and it is just type 1 diabetes: being thirsty, being tired, getting thinner and needing the toilet more frequently. Clinical guidance recommends that children and young people presenting with symptoms that suggest type 1 diabetes should be referred immediately to specialist paediatric diabetes services for diagnosis and treatment. That is worth emphasising, because those are serious signs and symptoms. If they are apparent in children you know, you need to seek medical help rapidly.
The Scottish Government remains committed to supporting high-quality, person-centred diabetes care across Scotland. Earlier diagnosis and effective management are critical to reducing the impact of diabetes and preventing complications such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and sight loss. Prevention and timely intervention are particularly important in relation to type 2 diabetes, as action that is taken before or soon after diagnosis can significantly improve long-term outcomes.
As we have heard, weight and diet are key factors in the prevention of type 2 diabetes, and we are building on the recent implementation of restrictions on the promotion of less healthy foods with the publication of a diet and healthy weight implementation plan. It is clear that the food environment too often drives a less-healthy diet that is too high in calories. The steps that we have taken, and will take, will improve the food environment, ensuring that the places where people shop and the communities that they live in are more likely to support a healthy weight and diet.
In spring 2027, we will launch a new national digital type 2 diabetes prevention programme, which will be backed by £4.8 million of funding over three years. That programme will be delivered through the accelerated national innovation adoption pathway and it will support more than 13,000 people who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes. It will provide dedicated, intensive health coaching to support people with weight loss and help to delay or prevent development of the condition.
Digital interventions are also playing an increasingly important role in supporting better outcomes for people who are already living with type 2 diabetes. In March 2025, we confirmed £4.5 million of funding over three years for a new national digital type 2 diabetes remission programme. That provides intensive weight management support to a further 3,000 people in Scotland who have been newly or recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, helping more people to achieve remission and improve their long-term health outcomes.
As others have said, technology and innovation are transforming diabetes care and helping people across Scotland to manage their condition more effectively. For people with type 1 diabetes, hybrid closed-loop systems are improving glucose control, reducing the burden of day-to-day management and enhancing quality of life. Those technologies represent a major advance in care and they are increasingly recognised as the standard of care for those who wish to use them. We have invested significantly in expanding access and now provide £14.4 million of recurring baseline funding every year to support provision across Scotland. NHS boards are expected to continue providing access in line with clinical guidance and individual clinical need.
I reiterate to the Conservative members who raised the matter that funding that was previously provided through the national expansion programme has been incorporated into annual NHS baseline allocations, which will support the ongoing consumable costs. That reflects the transition of HCL technology from being in a national expansion programme when it was a new thing to being an established component of routine diabetes care. The move to the NHS board baseline funding does not represent a withdrawal of support for HCL technology; it reflects the transition of HCL systems from a national expansion programme to an established component. We have written to boards multiple times to reiterate that and remind them that the money is there for people to continue to use those systems.
Although progress has been made, we recognise that variations remain in access and experience across Scotland. That is why we continue to work closely with NHS boards and the centre for sustainable delivery to improve access, support effective onboarding arrangements and consider opportunities for further expansion. That work will help to inform future decisions and ensure that people continue to benefit from those evidence-based innovations.
However, technology is only part of the picture. Everyone living with diabetes should have access to high-quality care including education, screening, monitoring and multidisciplinary support to manage their condition and reduce the risk of complications.
We also remain committed to tackling health inequalities. We know that the burden of diabetes is not experienced equally and that some communities face greater barriers in accessing services and achieving positive outcomes. It is essential that, as new approaches to prevention, diagnosis and treatment emerge, the benefits are accessible to all and they help to reduce, rather than widen, existing inequalities.
I thank the healthcare professionals who work across diabetes services, alongside the third sector organisations, researchers, carers and volunteers. Their dedication and expertise support people living with diabetes and their families every day.
As we mark world diabetes day, let us renew our collective commitment to prevention, early diagnosis, innovation and equitable access to care for everyone across Scotland. By acting early and ensuring that everyone can benefit from advances in treatment and technology, we can reduce complications, tackle inequalities and help more people across Scotland to live well with diabetes now and into the future.
That concludes our business for today.
Meeting closed at 18:00.
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