SIR – A STAGGERING 3.8 million people are living with diabetes, and the increasing number of people being diagnosed with the condition is posing a real threat to the sustainability of our health service.

Although there are some excellent examples of good diabetes care both here in Bradford and across the country, there are still too many people who are not getting the care or support they need to manage their condition.

Poor care is fuelling soaring rates of life-threatening complications such as blindness, amputations and strokes. These complications are not only devastating for those involved but also extremely costly to the health service. Diabetes accounts for 10 per cent of the entire NHS budget, costing £10 billion a year.

With the General Election campaign under way, we want to let our political leaders know diabetes is a problem we can’t afford to ignore. This is why we are appealing to people in Bradford to add their voice to our campaign calling on politicians to put diabetes on the political agenda. We are asking people to help raise awareness of the seriousness of diabetes with any of their local candidates they come into contact with.

To get involved and to download Diabetes UK’s General Election 2015 Campaign Pack go to: http://bit.ly/1BvE9or.

Stephen Ryan, Diabetes UK Regional Manager, North of England