Diabetes: 10-Year Health Plan

Baroness Altmann Excerpts

Thursday 26th June 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Lord, Lord Rennard, knows that it is always good that we hear about his own experience, because he epitomises the changes that are possible. I believe there is an understanding—not least because, as noble Lords will know, the Chancellor very recently gave the department a settlement that was, in large part, because of not just immediate need but looking to the future and the kind of NHS that is fit for the future we will see identified in the 10-year plan when it is published. Technology is certainly a huge part of that, which is why CGM and the hybrid closed loop system—the latter of which began to be rolled out in April 2024—are so important. There have been huge advances and they will be part of that NHS of the future that we seek to build.

[Baroness Altmann (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I am delighted that the Government are producing their 10-year plan, and we look forward to seeing it. Following on from the question from the noble Lord, Lord Rennard, about protecting the labour force, can the Minister say something about fracture liaison clinics being rolled out across the country, to follow up on commitments made in the past that these clinics will be available across the country? These clinics can help boost productivity in the workforce; help older people, especially women, stay in the labour force; and prevent the fractures that so often force them out of work or cause accidents for older people.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

Fracture liaison services do an incredible job. I refer the noble Baroness to the words of the Secretary of State—I will not quote them because I do not have them to hand and there is nothing worse than misquoting somebody, particularly the Secretary of State—who has made his intentions quite clear on fracture liaison services. We certainly appreciate their value and the need to make that kind of provision available across the country.