A report has concluded today that up to 24,000 deaths related to diabetes in England and Wales could be avoided each year if patients and doctors managed the condition better.

Around 70-75,000 patients with diabetes die each year, but report estimates that a third of these deaths could be avoided if their diabetes was managed better.

Managing diabetes better would include better basic health checks from doctors, as well as diabetes patients themselves taking better care of themselves by taking their diabetes medication as prescribed and leading a more healthy lifestyle, including sticking to a healthy diet.

Diabetes UK says that although the statistics in the report are up setting it highlights the importance of self-management of diabetes. With the right care and support people with diabetes can and do live long healthy lives.

Diabetics can self-manage their condition through blood glucose monitoring, eating sensibly, taking medication appropriately, leading a healthy lifestyle and attending all their healthcare appointments.

The importance of the self-management of diabetes applies equally when you are on holiday as when you are at home. If you are a diabetic you can travel and enjoy a holiday abroad the same as any other person, but you might have to do a bit more planning before you travel to ensure that you can manage your diabetes safely whilst you are away.

Diabetes UK publishes a guide to travelling with diabetes which can help you prepare for a travelling abroad. Information about travelling with diabetes can be found on their website.

The most important thing to do before you travel with diabetes is ensure that you have travel insurance that covers your diabetes; Goodtogoinsurance.com can cover diabetes on annual and single trip travel insurance policies. Simply declare your diabetes when you get a travel insurance quote, either online or by phone and answer the multiple choice questions.