THERE were hundreds of premature deaths due to diabetes in North Yorkshire and the East Riding, figures published today show.

One in five people admitted to hospital for angina, stroke, heart attack and heart failure in England and Wales have diabetes, according to figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC). In 2013, there were 23,986 premature deaths in England and Wales due to diabetes.

Figures for the Vale of York showed the additional risk of death for people with diabetes compared to the local population is higher than the 33.9 per cent average in England, with 457 diabetic patients dying compared to the expected number of 327 people - an additional risk of 40 per cent.

In Scarborough and Ryedale, the additional risk of death among people with diabetes was 36 per cent; in Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby it was 46 per cent; and in the East Riding of Yorkshire it was nearly 37 per cent over the 2011 to 2012 time period.

A spokesman for the Vale of York Clinical Commissioning Group said improving outcomes for the 19,000 people with diabetes in the York area was a priority as it had historically been an issue.

They said: "Following the successful launch of the Community Diabetes Service in the Vale of York, the CCG has launched a new 24/7 online resource which provides essential advice and support to local adult diabetic patients.

"The new 'Your Diabetes’ website provides important information, advice and guidance to local diabetic patients, their family and carers and offers the opportunity to join discussions, find out the latest news and link to useful resources."

In the Harrogate Clinical Commissioning Group area, the additional risk of death among people with diabetes was lower than the national average. A total of 201 people died, an additional risk of 27.5 per cent.

A spokesman for the HSCIC said: "These additional deaths are largely preventable and develop after years of exposure to high glucose, high blood pressure and high cholesterol which are all signs of poorly managed diabetes and make complications such as heart attack and stroke more likely."

In England and Wales those with Type 1 diabetes were 131 per cent more likely to die in 2013 than their peers without the condition, and those with Type 2 diabetes were 32 per cent more likely to die.

The analysis showed that people with diabetes were 139 per cent more likely to be admitted to hospital with angina, 94 per cent more likely to be admitted to hospital with myocardial infarction, 126 per cent more likely to be admitted to hospital with heart failure and 63 per cent more likely to be admitted to hospital with a stroke.