STROUD MP Neil Carmichael joined volunteers to raise awareness of diabetes as a growing health risk in the UK.

Mr Carmichael MP had a diabetes test and met with healthcare professionals at a special event in Westminster to find out more about the disease.

Diabetes, and in particular Type 2 diabetes, is a significant and growing health issue affecting over 382 million people worldwide.

The International Diabetes Federation believes that unless action is taken this could rise to 592 million within by 2035.

Around 3.2 million people have been diagnosed with diabetes in the UK, but it is estimated that a further 850,000 people may be living with the condition without realising it.

“With diabetes rates increasing across the country and around the world I am pleased to support the International Diabetes Federation in raising awareness of the signs and symptoms of diabetes,” said Mr Carmichael.

“It is also about raising awareness of the complications which can occur as a result of diabetes such as cardiovascular disease, blindness, amputation and hypoglycaemia.

“Getting tested takes only a few minutes and could save you years of illness.”

Mr Carmichael is chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on vascular disease, which recently launched a report on lower limb amputations of vascular and diabetes patients.

The report revealed that in 2012/2013 there were around 12,000 lower limb amputations.

“Too many patients aren’t getting the treatment they need to avoid losing their legs and this needs to be tackled,” added Mr Carmichael.