Tracy Gilbert

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairship, Sir Alec. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for North Ayrshire and Arran (Irene Campbell) for opening this important debate on behalf of the Petitions Committee, and I thank Lyla’s family for their courage. Some 95 of my Edinburgh North and Leith constituents signed this important petition, and I thank them for sharing their experiences. In particular, I want to share the story of one mum who told me about the devastating consequences that diabetes had for her family. She told me about her son Nick, who sadly died of this terrible disease aged 28. Nick’s initial diagnosis at 16 was dismissed by the doctor he went to see. It was only the family’s knowledge of what was happening that ensured Nick got to see the specialist he needed. Nick’s mum told me that, in his 12 years as a diabetic, he carried his type 1 diagnosis as lightly as possible, despite having to give himself more than 25,000 injections in that time. Families such as Nick’s hope that by supporting the petition, our Government will take these vital steps towards making sure that life is made safer for children and adults living with type 1 diabetes. I share that view, and hope that the Government pay close attention to the experience of families across the country. I also urge the Scottish Medicines Consortium to consider similar changes for Scotland, and hope that the Scottish Government ensure that improvements are made for type 1 diagnosis and care.