NO REPRO FEE 30/9/2015 Minister for Health Leo Varadkar TD (left) and Minister for Primary Care, Social Care and Mental Health Kathleen Lynch TD are pictured with Dr. John Latham, GP at Thomas Court Primary Care Centre, and Paddy Tyndall from Skerries officially launched the new Diabetes Cycle of Care service for holders of medical cards and GP Visit Cards who have Type 2 Diabetes. The new service starts this Thursday at participating GP clinics, and allows qualifying adult patients with Type 2 Diabetes to have their condition reviewed thoroughly twice a year. It’s estimated that around 70,000 patients with Type 2 Diabetes will be eligible. Approximately 5.6 percent of the adult population in Ireland, or 190,000 people, have diabetes with Type 2 diabetes accounting for over 85 percent of these cases. It is estimated that 35,000 of Type 2 diabetes cases remain un-diagnosed. The Diabetes Cycle of Care service is a key step in the Government’s plans for universal healthcare. It should improve clinical outcomes for patients and reduce the sort of complications that are often experienced with Type 2 Diabetes. The service has the potential to provide a better quality of life, improved health and wellbeing, and fewer visits to hospital. Photo: Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland