1 June 2011

Dundee praised for 'Medical revolution' in diabetes

Diabetes treatment and research in Tayside has been hailed as bringing about a 'medical revolution' by the Director of one of the UK’s biggest medical charities.

In an opinion column for The Times newspaper, Sir Mark Walport, Director of the Wellcome Trust, said, 'If you live in Dundee and suffer from diabetes, you have recently been participating in a medical revolution.

'Over the past six years the number of amputations has fallen by 40 per cent, while the number of diabetics requiring laser treatment to preserve their sight has fallen by 43 per cent. The reason? The introduction of electronic records, collaborative clinical and managerial leadership across an entire health system and a focus on quality improvement, allied to earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatment.

'This bears witness to the improvements in healthcare that can be achieved by structural change.'

The Wellcome Trust is a global charitable foundation dedicated to achieving extraordinary improvements in human and animal health. It supports the brightest minds in biomedical research and the medical humanities. The Trust’s breadth of support includes public engagement, education and the application of research to improve health. It is independent of both political and commercial interests.

In response to Sir Mark’s comments, Professor Andrew Morris, Director of the Biomedical Research Institute at the University of Dundee, said, 'The University and NHS Tayside have a long track record of being at the forefront of diabetes research and treatment. The advances which have been made here in electronic record-keeping and analysis - what is known as informatics - as well as the very well developed partnership approach and excellent clinical work, is delivering real impact to patients.'

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