HL Deb 20 December 2004 vol 667 cc131-2WA
Lord Harrison

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they are taking to ensure that primary care trusts are providing:

  1. (a) adequate education to diabetics for their self-management;
  2. (b) individually tailored self-management regimes to diabetics; and
  3. (c) diagnosis through eye screening to the standard required by the National Service Framework for diabetes. [HL391]

Lord Warner

The Diabetes National Service Framework (NSF) Delivery Strategy makes it clear that primary care trusts (PCTs) should offer structured education programmes and a joint care planning process to people with diabetes to support self-management. The National Institute for Clinical Excellence technology appraisal on the use of patient-education models for diabetes supports this approach.

Two national structured education programmes for people with diabetes are currently being rolled-out. These are DAFNE (Dose Adjustment for Normal Eating) for Type 1 and DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) for Type 2.

Patient education programmes should include an element of goal setting and action planning. This supports the care planning process where people with diabetes agree a self-management regime with their healthcare professional. Empowering People With Diabetes: An Exploration of the Role of Personal Diabetes Records and Care Plans—a report drawing together examples of care plans for people with diabetes and identifying best practice—was published in April 2003 and is available on the National Diabetes Support Team website. This is supported through Standard 3 of the Diabtes NSF and is about patient empowerment. All people with diabetes will receive a service that encourages partnership in decision-making and supports them in managing their diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy screening is a priority for PCTs with a target in the Priorities and Planning Framework 2003–06 and Diabetes NSF Delivery Strategy. Strategic health authorities performance-manage PCTs on progress. Capital funding of £27 million is available to support the purchase of digital cameras and related equipment for diabetic retinopathy screening for implementation of the target. A UK National Screening Committee programme, carried out with professional organisations and Diabetes UK is setting standards and supporting local implementation.