(2) what recent steps the Government has taken to improve treatments for diabetes patients in the NHS.
This Government continue to support the implementation of the Diabetes national service framework (NSF) and work with key partners to support the NHS in driving forward improvements in diabetes care. The Department, in partnership with Diabetes UK and the National Diabetes Support Team, has published reports, documents and toolkits in a number of areas that are intended to provide quality information and standards for commissioners and health care providers to help them plan and deliver services envisaged in the NSF.
“Putting Prevention First”, published on 1 April 2008 and already placed into the Library, outlined plans for a national programme of vascular checks, which PCTs will begin to roll out in 2009-10. Full roll out is anticipated in 2012-13 when we hope the checks will be available to all people between the ages of 40 and 74, on a five year rolling basis. The checks aim to help people be healthier for longer by assessing and managing their risk of developing vascular conditions, such as chronic heart disease and diabetes. The checks will ensure that people are given information about their health, supported to make lifestyle changes and, in some cases, offered earlier interventions.