§ Mr. SinghTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has for increasing diabetes risk awareness among the Asian and African-Caribbean population. [125956]
§ Yvette CooperWe recognise the importance of raising awareness about the risk factors and symptoms of diabetes among both the public and health care professionals, including the Asian and African-Caribbean populations. We announced last year the development of a National Service Framework (NSF) for diabetes in England, to be published in 2001. The aims of the diabetes NSF are to improve health outcomes for people with diabetes by raising the quality of services and reducing variations between them. The scope of the NSF is broad and covers prevention, identification and management of diabetes and its complications, including rehabilitation and continuing care. The diabetes NSF will pay particular heed to the needs of those who are disproportionately affected by diabetes, such as people from minority ethnic groups.