Diabetes care improving, government claims

Care for people with diabetes is showing "good signs of improvement", a new report has claimed.

The report charts the progress made in improving the care of England's 1.4 million diabetes sufferers, following the launch of the National Service Framework (NSF) for diabetes in 2001.

The NSF and the subsequent Delivery Strategy, which was implemented in 2003, contained national standards aimed at tackling inequalities in diabetes care in a ten-year strategy.

The Department of Health said that the report highlighted the "real progress" that had been made since the implementation of the Delivery Strategy, through the use of several case studies.

The report noted several examples, including the Nichols Town Surgery in Southampton, which had recognised the cultural and language needs of the local population, which was 78% black and Asian, to offer tailor-made diabetes care; six Sheffield practices which had established specialist support for diabetes within general practise and West Lincolnshire Primary Care Trust, which had introduced multi-disciplinary primary care clinics to help 'bridge the gap' between GP and specialist care.

Health Minister, Rosie Winterton, said she was "delighted" by the examples in the report. She said: "It is important we offer diabetics the best care possible so they can live with diabetes, not suffer from it. Our goal is to make best practice the norm for diabetes care. The first two years of this 10-year programme have focussed on getting the systems and support right, and I hope that the next few years will bring about real and sustainable improvements in patient care."

Douglas Smallwood, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK added: "Diabetes care in England is undergoing a major overhaul. This report shows that real progress is being made in facing up to the problems and tackling the root causes. Some people with diabetes are starting to see real improvements in the service they are provided. The challenge for the NHS is to now ensure that everyone with the condition has equal access to the care and support that can offer them a full and healthy life."

Diabetes is a serious condition, which can lead to the development of other diseases and conditions, including heart disease, stroke, kidney disease and blindness, if not properly managed. It has been estimated to use up to 10% of hospital resources.

(KMcA/SP)