DIABETES care in Bolton will be given a £175,000 boost thanks to clinicians hitting patient targets.

The NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) was awarded the cash for reaching national targets to ensure that 55 per cent of diabetes patients receive nine checks on managing their condition.

Recent figures from Diabetes UK revealed Bolton has 388 more diabetes patients than last year, with the town’s total now up to 17,588.

The CCG and GP practices must ensure 55 per cent of diabetes sufferers receive checks on blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar levels and weight, as well as examinations of their feet and eyes.

So far this year, 61 per cent of diabetes patients in Bolton have had these checks. Dr Stephen Liversedge, clinical director for primary care and health improvement at the CCG, said diabetes was a “big problem” for Bolton but welcomed the funding.

Dr Liversedge said: “This is a wonderful achievement for Bolton and is a real testament to the excellent partnership working between NHS Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group and our GP members.

“It is vital that diabetes is well controlled to reduce the risk of serious complications, such as foot problems and blindness.

“This target is a useful means of ensuring as many patients as possible undergo a raft of tests, checks and examinations that are good indicators of possible problems, which can be followed up by their GP.

“Diabetes is a big problem for Bolton. The prevalence of this condition in our borough is higher than both the North West and national averages. Anyone who is overweight is at greater risk of developing diabetes.”

The CCG says its priority is to ensure even more diabetics have foot and eye examinations every year.

The stats released by Diabetes UK suggest almost 10 per cent of people in Bolton are sufferers, and Diabetes UK say this figure will only rise again over the next two years.

By 2020, experts predict about 20,000 people in Bolton will have diabetes.