NHS cash crisis hits local diabetes services

The long term health of people with diabetes is being put at risk because of short term thinking by some Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) in the management of current NHS financial problems.  Key services such as eye screening are being jeopardised, risking the sight of people with diabetes.

Turning the corner: improving diabetes care, launched today by the Department of Health, celebrates the many local successes in improving diabetes care but warns of the challenges still faced in tackling issues such as eye screening and the provision of education.  The report marks three years of the National Service Framework for Diabetes.

“Lots of local diabetes services are doing a great job but there are still lots of problem areas.  Now we are seeing the challenges in delivering quality diabetes services being made worse by the financial problems in the NHS.  Areas with a poor financial record such as the Surrey and Sussex  SHA and Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire SHA are failing to deliver on eye screening in many PCTs.  Our members are telling us that the financial problems in some areas are also hitting children’s and other services too.  People with diabetes should not be paying with their health for the financial mismanagement of local NHS providers.” said Douglas Smallwood, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK .

Diabetes UK welcomes the report but remains concerned about the level of information being provided to local people about services in their area.  In order to put the patient at the heart of the NHS it is vital to provide them with quality information on how well the NHS is doing in providing diabetes services in their locality. 

Primary Care Trusts offering screening to under 40 per cent of people with diabetes up to March 2006 (Department of Health target: 80 per cent of people offered screening by March 2006).

Strategic Health Authority     Primary Care Trust                     percentage offered screening    

Notes

1      Diabetes UK is the charity for people with diabetes. We fund medical research, provide information and support to people with diabetes and campaign on their behalf.

2      There are currently over two million people diagnosed with diabetes in the UK .

3      The Diabetes UK Careline (0845 120 2960) offers information and support on any aspect of managing diabetes.  The line is a lo-call number and opens Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm (operates a translation service). Recorded information on a number of diabetes-related topics is also available on this number 24 hours a day.

4      Membership of Diabetes UK is from £22/ year with special rates available. In addition to our bi-monthly magazine Balance, members receive support and the latest information on diabetes care and treatments to help them live a healthy life.

(14/6/06)