A MOTHER travelled to Parliament to demand urgent improvements to care for diabetic children.

Cheryl Edmeades, who lives in East Tilbury and has a 15-year-old son who has Type 1 diabetes, travelled to Westminster to meet with South Basildon and East Thurrock MP Stephen Metcalfe as part of an event organised by Diabetes UK.

The charity says too many children with Type 1 diabetes are not getting essential checks and services they need to manage their condition, which is reflected in the fact that 85 per cent of children with Type 1 diabetes have poor blood glucose control. This puts them at increased risk of devastating health complications later in life such as blindness, amputations and stroke.

Cheryl said: “I was delighted to take part in Diabetes UK’s lobbying event and meet with Stephen Metcalfe as it gave me the chance to raise my concerns about poor diabetes healthcare for children.

“Diabetes is a serious condition but too many children with Type 1 diabetes here in Essex and across the country are not accessing the essential care they need to manage their condition. All children deserve the best healthcare and that is why change is urgently needed.

Bridget Turner, Diabetes UK Director of Policy and Care Improvement, added: “It is unacceptable that so many children with diabetes are not getting the recommended diabetes care, services and support they are entitled to

“We are pleased that Cheryl has come to Westminster to make the case to MPs that they need to insist that this level of care is in place in Essex.

“We hope that their involvement helps raise the issue of Type 1 diabetes care among other parents of children with the condition. If people in Essex have a child with Type 1 diabetes, they should make sure they are aware of our Type 1 essentials for children and young people guide, which sets out the 10 things every child with Type 1 diabetes needs.”