Diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of diabetes in the NHS have improved in the last year, according to a report from the Department of Health.
Six Years On: Delivering the Diabetes National Service Framework updates progress made since the NSF was developed in 2001. It recognises achievements made in 2009, including the first survey to establish how many people under the age of 18 are living with diabetes in England.
Dr Rowan Hillson, National Clinical Director for Diabetes, said: “Diabetes is one of the biggest challenges facing the NHS today, affecting over 2 million people. This report reflects on the excellent progress being made in treating diabetes in England, but there is still more work to be done. In the next year I hope to see more focus on working with patients to help them understand and manage their diabetes more effectively.”
The report draws attention to the updated NICE guidance (2008) on insulin therapy, which recommends insulin pump treatment as an option for children aged below 12 years with type 1 diabetes where multiple daily injections have been found ineffective.
Another change noted is the expansion of the former National Diabetes Support Team to create NHS Diabetes, which now has a dedicated regional programme manager in every SHA. One of the areas NHS Diabetes has focused on in its first year is best practice guidance for treating people with diabetes while they are in hospital.
The report also identifies current priorities. A key focus is helping staff from NHS Diabetes to work more closely with patients. This is supported by the commitment to offer all patients with a long-term condition a personal care plan by summer 2010.
Dr Rowan Hillson