Diabetes 999 call ‘always genuine’
Emergency calls made by diabetes sufferers are always genuine, a leading charity has advised.
The ambulance service in the UK has warned that it is struggling to cope with high levels of calls and has asked people to call 999 if it is absolutely necessary.
London ambulance workers have seen an increase in calls in the last few weeks from around 3,000 to nearer 4,000.
However, Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said the 100,000 calls made by diabetes sufferers last year were all genuine emergencies.
"For people with diabetes, illnesses such as flu can play havoc with diabetes management causing blood glucose levels to fluctuate. This can leave people with diabetes at higher risk of DKA and more exposed to the complications of flu such as pneumonia and bronchitis," he said.
Peter Bradley, the national director for the ambulance services, told the Daily Telegraph that the last ten days have been the busiest he has seen in the last ten years.
The Insurance Helpline specialises in obtaining cover for people living with diabetes
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