NHS Shetland has welcomed the results of the Scottish Diabetes Survey 2025, which highlights strong monitoring, outcomes and access to technology in Shetland.
The annual survey compares diabetes care and outcomes across Scotland. The 2025 results highlight several areas of particular strength for NHS Shetland and provide a positive picture of the care delivered to people living with diabetes across the isles.
One of the most encouraging findings relates to HbA1c, an important measure of longer-term blood glucose levels. Among people with Type 1 diabetes who had a recorded result, 42.1% had an HbA1c below 58 mmol/mol, compared with 34.4% across Scotland. For people with Type 2 diabetes, the figures were 64.7% in Shetland compared with 57% nationally.
Shetland also had fewer people with very high HbA1c levels. In Type 1 diabetes, 15.7% had an HbA1c above 75 mmol/mol compared with 27% nationally. For Type 2 diabetes, the figures were 10.7% and 15.9% respectively. Together, these results show more people achieving favourable HbA1c outcomes and fewer people living with markedly elevated levels.
Shetland also performs particularly well in completing and recording key diabetes care processes, and provides excellent access to diabetes technology. Continuous glucose monitoring was used by 95.7% of people with Type 1 diabetes in Shetland, compared with 88.2% across Scotland. Insulin-pump use has also increased, as at 31 October 2026, 46 of 156 adults with Type 1 diabetes in Shetland were using an insulin pump (29.5%), compared with 27% across other Scottish health boards.
There were also encouraging blood-pressure and foot outcomes in Shetland. Among people with a recorded result, 85.4% of those with Type 1 diabetes had a systolic blood pressure of 140 mmHg or below, compared with 74.9% nationally. Previous foot ulceration was also lower in Shetland for both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, alongside above-average recording of foot-risk assessments.
Alison Jamieson, NHS Shetland’s Nurse Consultant for Diabetes, reflected on the results, she said: “As we mark World Diabetes Day on 14 November, the latest national survey gives NHS Shetland much to celebrate. For a small rural health board, the results are an encouraging reflection of the commitment of people living with diabetes, their families and carers, and the teams working together across NHS Shetland to support high-quality diabetes care. It shows strong performance in diabetes monitoring, blood glucose outcomes, blood-pressure management and access to diabetes technology.”
The national survey results also provide a firm foundation for continued improvement, including cholesterol recording, insulin-pump access and registration with My Diabetes My Way.
A patient who receives support from the NHS Shetland Diabetes Team shared the following insight into the impact wearable technology has had in their care plan. They said: “I now have a continuous blood glucose monitor which allows me to see what my glucose levels are doing in real time so I know how my body reacts to certain foods, exercise, stress, the list goes on but the important bit is I learn and improve a little bit every day (…).
“The second upgrade was an insulin pump and to me the second biggest shift in my life since being diagnosed (…). Every diabetic’s needs are different but for me this has been the game changer. Yes, I am still a diabetic and yes, every day is a constant challenge in management, balancing, trying to look normal and staying positive but now it’s just so much easier. An added bonus is how I feel about the significant improvement to my blood glucose levels which massively reduces my risks of diabetic complications. I really can’t explain how good that feels.”
Further links:
- Scottish-Diabetes-Survey-2025.pdf Scottish Diabetes Survey 2025 web link.
- My Diabetes My Way The Scotland interactive diabetes website to help support people who have diabetes and their family and friends.
- Diabetes | NHS inform Identifying, treating managing different types and complications of diabetes.
- Diabetes UK - Know diabetes. Fight diabetes. | Diabetes UK UK's leading charity for people affected by diabetes.