NHS diabetes and pregnancy care under fire

According to a confidential new enquiry into maternal and child health in the UK, women suffering from diabetes do not receive enough support from the National Health Service before pregnancy. The report concluded that services were ‘poor and uncoordinated.’
To glean the results, researchers studied over 500 women’s case notes, and found that under 50 per cent were taking necessary dietary supplements. The findings reinforce previous studies of this nature that indicate diabetic pregnant women are five times more likely to have stillbirths.
The study covered Wales, Northern Ireland, and England, and indicated that pregnant women with diabetes are not receiving enough support from either GPs or the NHS. Deficiencies were found in the number of women failing to take folic acid, and the level receiving counseling about diet and blood sugar control. The researchers blamed a basic lack of knowledge and a possible case of under-funding.
Researchers said there was a basic lack of knowledge about how to treat women with diabetes, but they also suggested tight finances in the health service could be playing a role.
The clinical director at CEMACH, Dr. Modder, reportedly commented: “This report provides clear evidence that women with diabetes are not being empowered to prepare adequately for pregnancy, and that health professionals are often not providing the appropriate information and care.”