Approximately 20,000 people across the two
boroughs don't know they have the early signs of diabetes and many
who are diagnosed are lacking clear information, support or
education. In 2009-10 alone, £21 million was spent on local
diabetes care in Lambeth and Southwark. This excludes the cost of
preventable treatment arising from diabetes including amputations,
dialysis and blindness. A major programme to transform Diabetes
services bringing together acute, community and public health
services was launched in 2012 with funding of £4.5 million from the
Charity.
The initiative involves a team of health care change
professionals working with clinical champions, health service staff
and other professionals, as well as people living with diabetes to
deliver sustainable change in services across Lambeth and
Southwark. The intention is to develop excellent services which
result in better outcomes for patients, as well as improving
efficiency and cost effectiveness of services.
There will be a particular focus on reducing emergency
admissions; improving the co-ordination of care; preventing
diabetes and related complications; reducing the variability of
clinical management; and increasing service users' knowledge,
skills and confidence to manage their own health.
The Charity's investment reflects its
commitment towards supporting large scale programmes which look at
the whole system of care in a particular disease, and the
evaluation of new approaches towards delivering excellent care.
The indicative measures for the Diabetes Modernisation
Initiative are:
- Every
newly diagnosed diabetic offered self-management training and to
achieve a 70 per cent take up.
- Every
diabetic is offered refresher training in
self-management
- 78 per
cent of all patients achieve controlled HbA1C (blood sugar) and BP
(blood pressure) control
- Improved detection rates from 60 per cent
to 80 per cent
- Care
provided in GP practices is increased by 50 per cent
- Hospital outpatients are reduced by 50 per
cent
- Avoidable emergency admissions are reduced
by 20per cent
So far, the programme has reviewed the transfer of care
processes, the effectiveness of community clinics and established a
patient-led diabetes forum. Specialist diabetes community clinics
have been established in the two boroughs to support GPs in
the transfer of patient care from Guy's and St Thomas' and King's
College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust to general practice.
During 2012 the programme will begin to roll out service
improvements and pilot new ways of delivering services.
An evaluation of the impact of the
programme is being undertaken and the improved model of excellent
services will be shared nationally and internationally when the
programme ends.
To get involved or find out more call 0207 188 5654 or email:
midiabetes@gstt.nhs.uk
You can find out more information about the Diabetes
Modernisation Initiative, by clicking here to view their newsletter.