.......not had a consultant appointment in the 12 years I have been with this department, they say they will refer me if required I get the feeling that when you reach 70+ the NHS is not really interested.
12-years without seeing a diabetes Specialist Consultant is a long time. I assume that you have found your hospital Diabetes Nurses very good, if you have not asked for an appointment with a Diabetes Consultant. "..if required.." seems to me to be the opening to request an appointment. I see my Diabetes Consultant once a year, and the hospital DSNs once a year. Thus I have a hospital diabetes team appointment every six months. However, if something happens that warrants attention, then I will request an extra appointment with the "hospital team". Then I may get an appointment either with the DSN or the Consultant,
I have experienced that "over-70s; let us ignore them" phenomenon with other specialities; more often with the hart specialists. With them, I have to chase appointments. I think this varies from hospital to hospital.