The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) has said that public education programmes are the key to fighting the rise of diabetes in Barking and Dagenham.

An estimated 9,825 people in the borough are living with diabetes and research suggests this could jump by 33 per cent by 2030.

This week the London Assembly health committee is launching a major review of diabetes services in the capital.

In the run-up to the event, the RCN has been speaking with nurses working at the front line of diabetes care.

They have backed public education programmes which aim to cut diabetes prevalence in diverse populations.

RCN London regional director Bernell Bussue said: “We have to educate diabetes patients about how to better manage their condition; educate at-risk communities in order to stop the growth of the condition and educate the whole nursing workforce to make sure nurses are confident in treating diabetes patients.”