Tom Gordon MP Backs Calls For Point-of-care Testing For Type 1 Diabetes In Children
Tom Gordon, MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough and Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes, has backed calls for wider use of point-of-care testing for Type 1 diabetes in children during a debate in Parliament yesterday.
The Westminster Hall debate followed a public petition known as Lyla’s Law, launched by John Story after the tragic death of his daughter Lyla following a missed diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. Earlier in the day, Tom joined John and fellow campaigners as they handed the petition in to 10 Downing Street.
During the debate, Tom highlighted the importance of recognising the key symptoms of Type 1 diabetes – known as the “4 Ts”: thirst, tiredness, thinning and going to the toilet more frequently – and ensuring quick access to testing when those symptoms appear.
He also called for greater use of simple finger prick blood glucose tests in primary care, which can quickly identify the condition and help prevent life threatening diabetic ketoacidosis.
Shortly after his election, Tom reconvened the All Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes, a cross-party group of MPs and Peers who campaign on key diabetes issues in Parliament.
Commenting, Tom said:
“It was a privilege to stand alongside John Story and campaigners today as they handed the Lyla’s Law petition in to Downing Street. John’s tireless campaigning in memory of Lyla is helping drive real change.
“Too many children are still diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes only once they are already critically ill. A simple finger-prick test when symptoms appear could prevent life threatening emergencies.
“I remember how frightening it was when my nine year old sister collapsed with diabetic ketoacidosis on a family holiday and was rushed to hospital - it’s an experience no family forgets.
“Type 1 diabetes cannot currently be prevented, but deaths from undiagnosed Type 1 diabetes are preventable. Improving awareness and access to testing will save lives.”
Lyla’s Law is a campaign launched by John Story following the death of his daughter Lyla after her Type 1 diabetes was not diagnosed in time. The campaign calls for changes to improve early diagnosis of the condition, particularly in children.
The key aim of Lyla’s Law is to ensure that a simple finger-prick blood glucose test is carried out whenever a child presents with symptoms of Type 1 diabetes, known as the “4 Ts”:
• Thirst
• Tiredness
• Thinning (weight loss)
• Toilet (frequent urination)
Campaigners argue that routine point-of-care testing in GP surgeries and other healthcare settings when these symptoms appear could help identify Type 1 diabetes earlier and prevent children becoming seriously ill with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening complication.
The campaign has gathered significant public support through a parliamentary petition calling for improved awareness, testing and diagnosis across the NHS.
