§ Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) whether the national standards framework for diabetes delivery strategy will include a commitment to a systematic approach to targeted screening of at risk groups for Type II diabetes; [42711]
(2) what recent research his Department has commissioned into the numbers of children diagnosed with type II diabetes resulting from obesity; [42722]
(3) what assessment he has made of the long-term potential financial savings to the NHS to be made from screening for Type II diabetes. [42710]
§ Jacqui SmithDiabetes is becoming more common, even among children, as the population becomes more overweight and sedentary. We are taking forward a wide range of work across Government to tackle obesity, to increase physical activity and improve diet, especially among children. Prevention of diabetes is one of the key areas covered by the Diabetes National Service Framework standards, published last December.
We have asked the UK National Screening Committee to assess the benefits and drawbacks of screening for Type II diabetes. The Committee will make recommendations in 2005.