NEW figures show a further rise in the number of people in Hampshire living with diabetes.

More than 4,500 adults have been diagnosed with the condition in the county in the last two years, taking the total number of people known to be diabetic to 77,642.

In one part of the county the rapidly escalating number of cases puts it top in the South East and was described by a health charity as “alarming”.

Figures released by Diabetes UK, based on GP data, reveal in Fareham and Gosport alone 889 new diagnoses in adults since 2013.

However health bosses there say this is actually down to their efforts to be more pro-active in diagnosing the condition.

This comes as the charity revealed the number of diabetics in the UK has surpassed the 4 million mark for the first time.

This includes 3.5 million adults – an increase of 119,965 compared to the previous year – and the charity warns there could be as many as 549,000 people unaware they have type two diabetes sufferers.

In Hampshire there are 2,417 more than the previous year and an extra 4,676 people have been diagnosed in Hampshire since 2012/2013.

It saw a rise from 9,347 to 10,557 two years later – 6.45 per cent of all adults.

Fareham and Gosport Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) had the highest proportionate increase in the South East at more than 12 per cent and the 11th highest in the country.

West Hampshire CCG saw a rise from 22,866 adults in 2012/2013 to 23,916 in 2014/2015 – 5.35 per cent of the adult population.

Southampton City CCG had 11,545 adults registered diabetics in 2012/2013 but 12,092 by 2014/2015 – 5.48 per cent of the population.

This comes after the Daily Echo told in 2014 how diabetics in Fareham and Gosport were seven times more likely to have an amputation than those in the best performing area, with data revealing it was the worst performing area in the country with 5.1 amputations per 1,000 diabetics.

Diabetes UK called for a greater focus on preventing type two diabetes and a concerted effort to address obesity while providing adequate care and education to current diabetics.

Fareham and Gosport CCG said the diabetes figures reflected some of its work to improve and increase diagnosis rates while it has also been working on other initiatives like a diabetes working group across all NHS services to improve quality of care.

West Hampshire CCG said the increase was a consequence of the ageing population and it was supporting diabetics and raising awareness of diabetic foot problems.

Southampton City CCG said it had a three-year diabetes strategy in place, regularly attended events to raise awareness of diabetes in the community, had given specialist diabetes training to local GP practices and improved access to good diabetes management.

  • Fareham and Gosport CCG has gone from 9,347 diagnosed diabetics in 2012/2013 to 10,557 in 2014/2015 - 6.45 per cent of all adults.
  • The numbers of people diagnosed has risen proportionately by 12.33 per cent.
  • South Eastern Hampshire CCG has gone from 10,271 adults diagnosed with diabetes in 2012/2013 to 11,147 in 2014/2015 - 6.5 per cent of the adult population.
  • Portsmouth CCG has gone from 9,255 in 2012/2013 to 9,901 people in 2014/2015 - 5.57 per cent.
  • West Hampshire CCG has gone from 22,866 in 2012/2013 to 23,916 adults in 2014/2015 - 5.35 per cent.
  • North Hampshire CCG has gone from 9,682 in 2012/2013 to 10,029 in 2014/2015 - 5.72 per cent.
  • Southampton City CCG has gone from 11,545 in 2012/2013 to 12,092 in 2014/2015 - 5.48 per cent.

Daily Echo: Barrie Smith, 74, had his leg amputated below the knee

Barrie Smith, pictured above, has called for more to be done to warn the public about diabetes.

The 75-year-old resident, who had to have his lower leg amputated due to his condition, said it was worrying that more cases were being picked up in the Fareham and Gosport area.

He said he felt that deprivation was a factor and highlighted certain deprived areas in Gosport where people “may not be getting the message that you need to be careful about your diet”.

Type 1 diabetic Barrie, of Gosport, was diagnosed in 1978.

Doctors were left with no choice but to amputate his left leg below the knee in 2008 after he stepped on a rose thorn but due to his diabetes remained unaware of it for two months.

He said that though he had seen some improvements in the care of diabetic sufferers more still needed to be done.