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It’s bloody confusing. If aliens descended and started reviewing Twitter, newspapers, blogs, media reports...they probably would just shake their heads and leave - simply confused by the lack of consistency in any news story about the NHS. A recent example of that was the recent Commonwealth Fund report which compared different countries and came up with the analysis that the NHS was the best in the world, maybe even the universe. Cue folks going absolutely bananas...Twitter was agog with adulation, back slapping, joyous outpouring...none of which is surprising given the absolute shellacking it’s been taking recently.

As ever with the NHS, any sensible debate around the findings or even using it to plan for the future has been pretty impossible. We again break into silos...in general three..."Team Happy"... proclaiming that it’s all fine and it’s the fault of the government that a perfect system is being broken apart- and it absolutely was the land of milk and honey 5 years ago; "Team Angry"… who vociferously proclaim that there are evil healthcare professionals out there, uncaring, money driven, dark, dastardly souls , killing folks and must be stopped...and finally "Team Sensible" the more rational or sane ones whose voices tend to get drowned a bit while ideological battlegrounds are marked out, posturing is done, credit is claimed for the NHS being amazing…while a rational debate to actually debate where we go from here in a few years’ time...no sir…that's a tricky option, isn't it?

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A JDRF team of trekkers has triumphed in its bid to be the largest ever group living with Type 1 diabetes to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

The group set off last week to climb Africa’s tallest mountain, before scaling the summit over the weekend to enjoy stunning views – and the taste of glory.

The heroic team of trekkers climbed the beautiful Marangu trail, through muddy rainforest, along rocky paths and over valleys, past glaciers and ice cliffs. Participants living with Type 1 diabetes faced the challenge of managing their condition as temperatures, altitude and their energy levels constantly changed.

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New research has claimed treatments to reduce blood sugar levels “do more harm than good” in many Type 2 diabetes patients, particularly older people.

The study by the University College London (UCL), the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Hospital found that for many people the benefits of taking diabetes medications are so small that they are outweighed by the minor harms and risks associated with treatment.

The benefits of treatment decline with age and by age 75 the harms of most treatments are likely to outweigh any potential benefits, according to the research published in JAMA Internal Medicine.

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Research highlighting ineffective treatments for some people with Type 2 Diabetes demonstrates “the importance of looking at the individual needs”, according to Diabetes UK.

A study by the University College London (UCL), the University of Michigan and the Ann Arbor Veterans Affairs Hospital has claimed treatments to reduce blood sugar levels “do more harm than good” in many Type 2 diabetes patients, particularly older people.

The research, which was published in JAMA Internal Medicine, found that for many people the benefits of taking diabetes medications are so small that they are outweighed by the minor harms and risks associated with treatment.

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People with diabetes are four times more likely to get vital annual checks depending on their postcode, according to a new online tool.

The data on Diabetes UK’s Diabetes Watch (http://diabeteswatch.diabetes.org.uk/) – which enables people with diabetes to compare care in their area with care around the country – shows that just 18.5 per cent of people with the condition in Mid-Essex get the eight annual checks recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. It is one of 27 areas in England where less than half of people with diabetes receive these checks.

In contrast, Stafford and Surrounds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) gives the checks to 78.3 per cent of the 6,893 people diagnosed with the condition in the area. It is one of 25 areas where over 70 per cent of people with diabetes get the checks.

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Views are being sought ahead of the launch of a new ‘buddy support’ scheme in Hampshire for newly diagnosed people with diabetes.

The group Sugar Buddies was formed in response to a growing demand on social media for peer support for people diagnosed with diabetes.

People are being urged to complete a short survey to provide valuable feedback. There are plans to spread the network across the country.

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