Young people with type 2 diabetes should be under secondary care, consultant says

Secondary care teams should also look after young people aged between 16 and 25 who are living with type 2 diabetes, an Honorary Consultant in Diabetes has said.

Speaking at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2025 in Glasgow, Dr Jackie Elliott revealed that young people with type 2 diabetes might have a better chance of achieving treatment targets or remission if they are under secondary care.

According to Dr Elliott, with the right staff and culture, appropriately designed services can change young lives for the better.

Most young people who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes attend their appointments with a parent or carer, Dr Elliott revealed.

Therefore, she highlighted the importance of educating parents, or carers, on how to manage type 2 diabetes so they can offer more support to their children.

Dr Elliott, who is also a Senior Clinical Lecturer at the University of Sheffield, said: “Type 2 diabetes at the age of 23 compared to 45 is a whole different beast.”