Standards for diabetes care are still not being met in England - 11 years after they were set, a report suggests.
The Department of Health recommended in 2001 that patients should receive nine basic services, including cholesterol and blood pressure monitoring, eye screening and foot examinations.
But the National Audit Office analysis said despite improvements, just half of patients were getting the checks.
The government said the NAO had taken only a "snapshot" of care.
The watchdog also criticised ministers for not having a grip on costs.
It said the NHS was spending at least £3.9bn a year on diabetes - three times more than ministers had estimated.
4 comments:
Let’s imagine every diabetic received all 9 tests on an annual basis. Would this reduce the incidence of diabetic complications or merely be a sticking plaster? Without a change in NHS dietary advice the incidence of complications will grow.
John
John, absolutly right blaming ministers is like blaming patients, they are no wiser about it than we are ( WERE !! )
As an aside i very recently went to see my spec nurse.First time, new surgery. She was impressed with my control and weight against my records from elsewhere. When i first registered the GP stopped my strips. This time I asked her what the local PCP and Formulatory said . She seemed surprised and said you are well informed. I smiled and said Its my condition !!
Result 2 packs of strips per year which for me is enough to maintain a watching brief.
"Without a change in NHS dietary advice the incidence of complications will grow."
Sad but true, a lot more improvement needs to be made.
Joe
The dietary advice just has to be improved. Perhaps diabetics need to take more control than the majority are doing at the present time.
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