The information is not available in the format requested. The quality and outcomes framework (QOF) part of the general practitioner (GP) contract requires practices to record the number of patients who have been diagnosed with diabetes. Only patients aged 17 and over are included, as patients younger than that are considered to need specialist care that would not be provided by a GP. Therefore, all figures given underestimate the number of diabetics. Furthermore, data are not available for Romford, Greater London or Essex as they are not national health service organisations. Data are not available for 1997 as the GP contract was only introduced in the financial year 2004-05. However:
the closest NHS structure is Havering primary care trust (PCT), which includes Romford. In 2006-07 there were 9,281 patients on the diabetes register in practices in Havering;
the NHS organisation closest to Greater London is London strategic health authority (SHA). In 2006-07 there were 300,567 patients on the diabetes register; and
similarly, Essex is not a NHS organisation since the re-structuring of SHAs in October 2006. For the five PCTs in Essex (Mid Essex, North East Essex, South East Essex, South West Essex and West Essex) there were 61,348 patients on the diabetes register in these areas in 2006-07.
Coverage of QOF patients will only contribute to the figures in QOF if they are registered with a general practice participating in QOF.