In its “State of the Nation” report for 2012, they claim that support for diabetes is “second rate” for more than half of sufferers, and that only around 6% of people are getting all of the recommended number of checks and services from the NHS.

When looking at children with diabetes, that figure is even lower, at around 4%.

In the five years between 2006 and 2011, diabetes diagnoses have increased by a staggering 25%, the number of people suffering now sits around the 2.5m mark. Estimates suggest that a further 850,000 have the glucose condition but are unaware of it.

Almost all of these people have Type 2 diabetes, which develops later in life.

Diabetes now accounts for around 10% of the NHS budget, since it is the leading cause of strokes, amputation and blindness. These complications are preventable with the right treatment, and are responsible for around 80% of the NHS money spent of diabetes.

Barbara Young, Diabetes UK’s Chief Executive, said, “This report shows how in exchange for this investment we are getting second rate healthcare that is putting people with diabetes at increased risk of tragic complications and early death.

"By taking the longer-term approach of investing in making sure people get the basic checks and services, we could save money by reducing the number of complications and make life immeasurably better for people with diabetes."

Health ministers said that the report would encourage local NHS services to act, and improve their diabetes care.