Blood sugar levels indicate diabetes

Doctors at the inner-city sites will introduce blood sugar screening for people at risk of Type 2 diabetes.

People over 40, those who are overweight, have heart disease or who have had a stroke are at most risk of developing the condition.

It is hoped the screening programme will help reduce the numbers who develop complications from Type 2 diabetes, such as losing their sight, or having to have limbs amputated.

It is important that people at risk of developing the disease are identified before they develop symptoms David Lammy, Health minister

The pilot sites, in Liverpool, Bradford, Leicester, Haringey, Portsmouth, Coventry, Bristol, Luton and Sunderland, also aim to improve diagnosis and treatment of diabetes.

The government also announced the appointment of Dr Sue Roberts, a consultant physician from Northumbria as the new National Clinical Director for Diabetes.

Last month, it launched a National Service Framework for diabetes care outlining how the condition should be treated.

Two studies have also been announced. One will look at the benefits of screening groups at a high risk of developing diabetes and the other will look at the practicalities of screening for both diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the nine pilot sites areas.

'Lifestyle changes'

People with Type 2 diabetes do not make enough insulin, or are unable to make proper use of it.

Without enough insulin, the body cannot move blood sugar into the cells. Sugar builds up in the bloodstream and causes health problems.

Health minister David Lammy said: "With the number of people living with diabetes increasing every year, it is important that people at risk of developing the disease are identified before they develop symptoms of the disease and suffer a poor quality of life.

"Everyone at risk must have the opportunity to make lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and increasing physical activity, to delay or prevent the onset of both diabetes and heart disease.

"Our goal in setting up these screening pilot sites is to make the best diabetes services already offered in some places the norm."

Paul Streets, chief executive of the charity Diabetes UK welcomed the appointment of a National Clinical Director for Diabetes.

He added: "The launch of the pilot sites for finding the million people who have diabetes but don't yet know it, will also ensure that all will benefit, not just those lucky enough to have already had their diabetes discovered early."