Young people in England could gain fairer diabetes care

beehiveweb.co.uk editorial team 2026-07-31 10:29 3 min read

Digital blood glucose meter and medical equipment used for daily diabetes health management.

By the Beehive Web Health Desk
Published 31 July 2026

Children and young adults in England could receive more consistent NHS diabetes care under a new national report published by the Getting It Right First Time programme, known as GIRFT.

The NHS England review sets out practical steps for improving care from birth to age 25. Its priorities include wider access to diabetes technology, better emotional and psychological support, fewer avoidable hospital admissions and a smoother move from children’s to adult services.

Around 56,000 people aged 0 to 25 in England live with type 1 diabetes, while approximately 9,000 have type 2 diabetes. The recommendations therefore cover tens of thousands of young patients and the families helping them make daily decisions about medication, food and activity.

Six areas identified for improvement

The review found variation in care across England and identified six areas where NHS teams should concentrate their efforts.

Young people in England could gain fairer diabetes care

Young people who struggle to manage their blood sugar levels, particularly those at greater risk of poorer outcomes, should receive additional support. Services are also encouraged to complete and record essential health checks more reliably, including assessments of emotional and psychological wellbeing.

Another recommendation focuses on learning from admissions involving diabetic ketoacidosis, commonly called DKA, and severe hypoglycaemia. Reviewing these emergencies could help clinical teams identify where support was missing and reduce the risk of repeat hospital visits.

GIRFT also wants services to improve access to hybrid closed loop technology. These systems can support diabetes management, but the report warns that digital exclusion must not leave young people behind—for example, when they do not have access to a compatible smartphone.

The remaining priorities concern care for people aged 19 to 25 and clearer accountability across local services. NHS teams are being asked to design transition support around young adults’ needs, helping them develop independence while maintaining trusted clinical relationships.

What families and young adults may notice

The report does not announce an immediate nationwide change to individual treatment or set a single implementation deadline. Instead, it gives NHS clinical teams step-by-step roadmaps and examples of good practice that can be used to improve local services.

For patients and families, the intended result is less variation between different parts of England. That could mean more reliable health checks, earlier additional support, improved access to technology and better coordination when a young person leaves paediatric care.

The review was informed by discussions with diabetes teams, service leaders, regional networks and people living with diabetes. It covered all local Integrated Care Boards in England, giving GIRFT a national view of where services are working well and where gaps remain.

Local NHS systems given three core responsibilities

The report asks Integrated Care Boards to establish clear leadership for children’s and young adults’ diabetes services. Named responsibility is intended to make it easier for organisations to work together and respond when problems emerge.

Local systems are also encouraged to bring information together so they can identify missed care, unequal access and patients who may need additional help. The third recommendation calls for agreed standards capable of delivering safer and more consistent support regardless of where a young person lives.

The national review was led by Dr Dita Aswani, GIRFT clinical adviser for children and young adults with diabetes, and Dr Fulya Mehta, NHS England’s National Specialty Adviser for Diabetes in Children and Young Adults.

Dr Aswani said participants across all 42 system reviews showed optimism, compassion and a strong desire to improve patient care despite financial pressure and organisational change.

Colette Marshall, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said support must be adapted to each young person’s needs and stage of life. She highlighted timely, coordinated care for those moving between paediatric and adult services and for the rising number of young people living with type 2 diabetes.

Implementation now rests with NHS teams and Integrated Care Boards using the report’s roadmaps to address the priorities identified in their own areas.

Source: Diabetes UK News and Views

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source trail

This report was checked against Diabetes UK’s account of the NHS England GIRFT review and its stated recommendations.

Checks

Confirmed that the review covers children and young adults aged 0 to 25 in England.
Checked the six priority areas against the source announcement.
Confirmed the reported figures for young people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Distinguished the report’s recommendations from changes already implemented.

Diabetes UK News and Views Check wider reporting