Swale now has the second highest level of diabetes in the entire South East.

Figures released last week show that 6,163 residents are affected by the disease.

When excluding under 19s, this equates to 5.8% of the borough’s population.

But this figure rises dramatically when just counting over 40s who are far more likely to be hit.

There are two forms of diabetes – type 1 and type 2.

Type 1, which people are born with, is an autoimmune disease which prevents the body from producing insulin.

Type 2 – the most common one – is a metabolic disorder relating to diet/lifestyle which results in high blood sugar levels.

The figures were compiled by Diabetes UK from GP data and reveal a 6% rise in Swale cases since 2012.

It means the borough has the highest level in Kent and is second only in the South East to Slough.

The Berkshire town has 9,500 diabetics from a population of 140,200.

Nationally, the number of people living with diabetes has tipped the four million mark.

There are thought to be around 549,000 people who have Type 2 diabetes without knowing.

Swale comes 38th out of 209 areas nationwide, Slough is seventh with Bradford having the worst rate in Britain.

Diabetes UK says it is more urgent than ever for the NHS to provide adequate care and diabetes education.

Otherwise large numbers of people may end up experiencing potentially preventable diabetes-related complications such as blindness, kidney failure and amputation. The charity is calling for a greater focus on preventing the disease.

The charity’s south east regional manager, Jill Steaton, said: “Over the past three years we have continued to see the number of people with diabetes in Swale rise at an alarming rate and these latest figures are a stark and urgent call for action to tackle this serious health condition.

“There is no time to waste in getting serious about providing better care and diabetes education.

“It is vital that we start to see people with diabetes receive good quality care wherever they live rather than them being at the mercy of a postcode lottery,” she said.

Sittingbourne and Sheppey Clinical Commissioning Group chairman Fiona Armstrong said: “The increase in diabetes is recognised as a significant problem and in Swale we are working hard to tackle this.

“Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include being overweight and not being active enough.

That’s why Swale CCG as part of the Swale Health & Wellbeing Board continues to focus on programmes that aim to help people reduce their risks of diabetes by managing their weight and increasing physical activity.

“We have also put significant measures in place to support early diagnosis, which contributes to more people being diagnosed in the area.

“The ‘Beats and Breathes’ scheme looks at addressing inequalities in health across Swale and now incorporates diabetes as well as the other main long-term conditions.

“This includes reviewing the number of patients known to GPs with diabetes and working closely with practices to make sure diabetic patients receive their annual check which includes a foot check and eye screening if appropriate.

“Swale GP practices are in the process of rolling out the Diabetes UK Patient Passport, for patients to hold to make sure they get relevant checks on a regular basis.”

“Prevention of diabetes is critical. By working with Kent County Council through public health projects like the ‘Let’s Get Moving’ scheme and NHS Health Checks for 40-74 year olds we hope to see long-term improvements in preventing diabetes.”