People living in Brent and Ealing are home to the highest number of diabetes sufferers in London, in the latest alarming figures released by Diabetes UK.

Concern is growing as figures reached a record high for the number of people diagnosed with the lifelong condition, which causes a person being unable to control their blood sugar levels.

The charity is urging the NHS to commit to care and diabetes education across the UK.

Figures from GP patient data, revealed Ealing was in pole position with 24,383 people diagnosed with diabetes - the highest of any borough - or 7.37% of the borough’s population, followed closely by Brent with 24,132 people diagnosed or 8.35% of its population.

At the other end of the scale in Hammersmith and Fulham there are 7,508 people diagnosed with diabetes, or 4.39% of the borough’s population; in Westminster 7,188 people living with the condition; and in Kensington and Chelsea plus a portion of Westminster 9,176 people.

Elsewhere in west London, in Harrow there are 17,368 people with diabetes or 8.71% of the borough; in Hounslow 16,064 people equivalent to 6.77% of the population; and in Hillingdon 15,803 people suffering from diabetes.

Richmond had the lowest number of diabetes sufferers with 5,865 people diagnosed or 3.57% of the borough.

The figures show growth across London is higher in many boroughs, above the 5.9% increase seen across England over the past three years.

READ MORE:Parents urged to download new Sugar Smart app which tells you your sugar intake.

Boroughs with highest proportion of diabetics

Borough Number of sufferers % of population
Harrow 17368 8.71
Ealing 24383 7.37
Hounslow 16064 6.77
Hillingdon 15803 6.7
Brent 24132 5.4
Kensington & Chelsea 9176 4.58
Hammersmith & Fulham 7508 4.39
Westminster 7188 4
Richmond 5865 3.57

'Alarming rise'

Roz Rosenblatt, Diabetes UK London manager, said: “Over the past three years we have continued to see the number of people with diabetes rise at an alarming rate and these latest figures are a stark call and urgent call for action to tackle this serious health condition.

“Tragically, we are continuing to see too many people with diabetes suffering serious complications, and even dying before their time, and we know that key reasons for this are that they are being denied both the care and access to education that would help them to manage their condition well.

“It is vital that we start see people with diabetes receive good quality care wherever they live rather than them being at the mercy of a postcode lottery.

“Equally, diabetes education need to be readily available everywhere, and commissioned along with a proper local system that explains to people with diabetes the benefits they will gain from attending an education course, and ensures that courses are well run.”

Poo diabetes care can lead to people experiencing preventable complications such as blindness, kidney failure and amputation.

The charity is also calling for greater focus on preventing Type 2 diabetes with 549,000 people who have the condition unaware of it.

Ms Rosenblatt added: “We also need a concerted effort led by the government to take active steps to address the fact almost two in every three people in the UK are overweight or obese and are therefore at increased risk of Type 2 diabetes.

“Basic measures such as making healthy food cheaper and more accessible, introducing clearer food labelling and making it easier for people to build physical activity into their daily lives would have a profound influence.”

For more information visit Diabetes UK.