Tom Gordon : MP Warns Of Funding Cliff-edge For Type 1 Diabetes And Disordered Eating Patients And Research
The MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough addressed the Medical Research Foundation’s Eating Disorders Event this week, warning of a funding cliff-edge for vital research into type 1 diabetes and disordered eating. Speaking alongside Rachel Chrisp from Breakthrough T1D, they urged the government to ensure stable, secure funding for research into the life-threatening illness.
Type 1 and disordered eating or T1DE effects up to 40% of women and girls and 15% of men and boys, or up to a quarter of people with type diabetes 1 in the UK and there is growing incidence. It involves behaviours such as restricting insulin to control weight.
As chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Diabetes, Tom has picked up the baton to advocate for the cause following an Inquiry in 2024. It recommended that pilot schemes be fully funded- something we are at very real risk of losing it if the Minister for Public Health and Prevention doesn’t act fast
There are five pilot schemes treating T1DE in the UK, including one in Humber and North Yorkshire which are finding sustained benefits for patients. They’re small, currently treating 83 people across the country but have the potential to expand if they receive the structured, regular funding they need. Several are no longer accepting referrals due to the instability.
Tom Gordon said:
“T1DE treatment and research is at real risk, we can’t allow it to fall by the wayside. Young people with T1DE have a sixfold increased risk of death compared to their peers- it’s a threat to their physical health, mental health and lives. Funding has only been provided until March 2026, with no further commitment people will not receive the treatment they need.
As chair of the Parliamentary Group on Diabetes, I’m imploring the Minister to commit to ringfenced, annual funding. These pilot projects are doing outstanding work, and they can be transformed into centres of excellence amongst a national network but only if we act now.”
