Health professionals are expecting an increase in the prevalence of diabetes here. Between 2005 and 2009, diabetes rose from affecting 2.5 per cent of the population to 3.8 per cent.

Increasing demands on the diabetes service are predicted, primarily due to a rising incidence of type 2 diabetes. Already, diabetes-related complications currently account for around the 10 per cent of the annual health service budget.

Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes and accounts for between 85 and 90 per cent of all people with diabetes. This type of diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). In most cases this is linked with being overweight. This type of diabetes usually appears in people over the age of 40, but is becoming more common in younger people and in certain ethnic groups.

The number of "at risk of diabetes" patients identified on Western Area general practice obesity registers in 2009 was 30,937 (9.83 per cent).

In the Western area the number of people aged over 65 years is estimated to grow by 37 per cent and for those over 85 years by 105 per cent in 2017.

Work is underway to address the demands of an increase in diabetes prevalence, a senior doctor with the Western Health and Social Care Trust has said.

Dr John Lindsay, Western Trust consultant physician in diabetes and endocrinology, was commenting as the Western Area Integrated Diabetes Service (WAIDS) network published its first annual report, "Diabetes in the Western Area". Approximately 10,800 people in the Western area are registered with a diagnosis of diabetes.

Dr Lindsay, lead clinician for WAIDS, said the network is committed to promoting optimum health for people with diabetes in the Western area. The WAIDS network is made up of healthcare professionals in hospital and community settings, community and voluntary sector representatives, health service managers and service commissioners.

He added: "The Western Trust has been preparing to meet the anticipated increase in diabetes and as part of the WAIDS network has been looking at diabetes services so it will be able to plan and deliver appropriate care to patients with the disease.

"This care includes prevention and early detection of diabetes, paying particular attention to vulnerable groups, and monitoring and treatment.

"The WAIDS first annual report 'Diabetes in the Western Area' describes current service arrangements for diabetes care across the West, and highlights significant developments in diabetes services since the inception of the Western Trust. This work has been possible through the excellent teamwork of many dedicated health professionals and with commissioners and charities. There are many challenges in further developing high quality services for an increasing population with diabetes.

"Our current and future priority is to ensure a co-ordinated process to service delivery for people with diabetes across the Western area, regardless of location." Diabetes services in the Western Area are delivered by general practice and community diabetes services. A Specialist diabetes outpatient clinic is held at the Erne hospital where acute hospital care for diabetes patients is also provided.