According to a new report that looks at the delivery of diabetes services in the UK, the diagnosis of diabetes is improving, and now the NHS must step up to the challenge of providing high quality care for each individual.
The Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) is helping GPs to reduce the “missing million” people with diabetes who have not been diagnosed. In the last twelve months alone, over 100,000 extra people have been diagnosed with diabetes and have started getting NHS treatment and support. The report looks at many examples of good practice across the NHS; for example, weight management programmes in Cleveland and screening vulnerable communities in Bradford.
During a visit to the Westminster Diabetes Centre to meet staff, Health Minister Rosie Winterton said: “With GPs identifying more people with diabetes, patients are now getting the care, advice and support to enable them to manage their condition more effectively, and reduce the risk of the complications associated with diabetes, such as heart disease.
“But as more people are diagnosed with diabetes, the NHS must step up to the challenge of continuing to provide high quality services that are convenient for patients. The NSF Progress Report demonstrates that excellent work is already underway and I would urge PCTs to look at how they can best provide services for people with diabetes in their local area.”
In March 2003, NICE published guidance on the use of insulin pumps, but variation in access highlighted that the guidance was not being implemented consistently. The Insulin Pumps Working Group, set up in November 2005, published its report helping to clarify NICE guidance. Although not suitable for everyone, insulin pumps can make a huge difference for some people and it is important that their use is built into a comprehensive and coherent diabetes service. The Insulin Pumps Working Group’s findings include the following suggestions:
• Commissioners of diabetes services should ensure that pump therapy is included as part of a comprehensive service for Type 1 diabetes, as required by the NICE guidance
• Commissioners, clinicians and patient representatives should carry out a needs assessment for insulin pumps and further work should be done to understand current use of pump therapy and potential future use
• There needs to be a robust and efficient supply chain from procurement to home delivery
• Clinical communities and partners should agree a national curriculum with appropriate links to accreditation bodies for staff training and patient education.
Douglas Smallwood, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: “The NSF report quite accurately reflects that diagnosis of diabetes is improving, that people with the condition are receiving better services and that there is more information than ever before on the care that people are receiving.
It pulls no punches in acknowledging that there are still many gaps in service provision and that much more needs to be done until we meet all the NSF standards. The challenge is for the NHS to grasp the opportunities provided by commissioning and other changes to deliver a truly patient focused service.”
