GLASGOW is the worst health board in Scotland for ensuring sufferers of Type 1 diabetes receive two vital tests.

And it falls below the Scottish average in seven other important areas of testing which should be carried out each year.

They are necessary to ensure people are managing their condition and are given support or treatment to help avoid developing serious complications which can include blindness, lower limb amputation and stroke.

Diabetes Scotland has issued a new report highlighting the growing number of people in the country suffering from Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.

And it has called on the Scottish Government to end the postcode lottery of care which is leading to poorer health for people living with the condition.

The latest figures show there are 61,869 people on the diabetes register in Greater Glasgow.

According to the charity, people with all types of diabetes are more likely to live in areas of deprivation, to smoke and more likely to experience depression and other mental health issues.

It says: "Diabetes is the fastest growing health threat of our time and a critical public health matter.

"The number of people living with diabetes is rising each year and since 2008 there has been a 25% increase in the number of Scots with the condition.

"Too many people with diabetes are still not receiving all of the vital annual checks to enable them to live a healthy life.

"People with diabetes living in some areas receive better care and treatment than people living in other areas.

"This disparity between areas is unacceptable and the Scottish Government must rectify this as a priority. Jane-Claire Judson, national director of Diabetes Scotland, said it is indefensible people living with diabetes are subjected to such disparities of care across Scotland.

She added: "There are Health Boards such as NHS Lanarkshire and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde which are consistently falling below the average for Scotland with regards to care process completion and achievement rates.

"If action is not taken now, the longer-term costs will be severe to people living with the condition, NHS Scotland and wider society.”

NHS Scotland spends almost £1 billion annually on diabetes and around 80% of this is on treating avoidable complications.

Ms Judson added: “We have been talking for years about diabetes being the nation’s fastest growing health threat but we have to acknowledge it is no longer a potential threat but a reality for a considerable proportion of the population.

"There are over 276,000 people living with the condition in Scotland and one in five are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes."