Diabetes part two

In 2001 the Diabetes National Service Framework (NSF) was published, and it's the first ever national framework of standards for the treatment of diabetics. It covers all aspects of treatment and prevention set over a 10 year period. The aim is to raise the quality of services offered to those with diabetes.

Diabetes is a chronic and progressive disease that affects every aspect of life, and occurs in all ages.It is the leading cause of blindness in working age adults in the UK and its becoming more common. 2.35 million is estimated to have it in this country which will increase to 2.5 million in 2010.

Obesity is 9% of the cause, and the life expectancy of a patient with Type 1 diabetes is reduced by 15 years. Type 2 is preventable in 2/3 of people and 90% of people have Type 2 as opposed to Type 1. Those at higher risk are in lower social economic groups and in ethnic minority communities. 5% of NHS funds is spent on the care of diabetic patients and 10% on hospital in patients.

It is because of these figures the NHS has focused its efforts to improve the care but especially the prevention of secondary complications as a result of this progressive and chronic disease. The key to prevention is early detection.