Diabetes Improvement Plan

A new strategy to improve early detection and treatment for diabetes has been launched by the Scottish Government.

The Diabetes Improvement Plan builds on the progress made in tackling the condition, which affects one in twenty people in Scotland.

The plan focuses on eight priorities, including prevention and early detection, better treatment for people with type 1 diabetes, and improved procedures for hospital inpatients. The plan will also focus on equality of access to services because diabetes disproportionately affects people from more deprived and ethnic backgrounds, making it a significant driver of health inequalities.

Specific actions include:

• Action to identify people at the highest risk of developing diabetes, to help improve early detection
• A national improvement programme to increase the number of people with type 1 diabetes who have good blood sugar control
• Action to improve the patient experience of care and to ensure that the voice of people living with diabetes is heard
• Improving hospital admission procedures to better meet the needs of people with diabetes

Since the last Diabetes Action Plan was published in 2010 there have been some major improvements in diabetes care in Scotland.

Over the last three years there has been a significant increase in the number of people with type 1 diabetes using an insulin pump, including more than one in four young people with the condition. Psychologists working across five health boards and sponsored by the Scottish Diabetes Group have trained more than 500 NHS staff since 2010.

A world-leading system for collecting diabetes data has been introduced to help improve clinical decision making. Also, the Scottish Diabetes Research Network, which supports six research nurses, has helped innovation by increasing the number of patient trials from 1,202 in 2009 to 3,667 last year.

Minister for Public Health, Maureen Watt, said:

"Considerable progress has been made in the treatment of diabetes in Scotland in recent years. However, the number of people being diagnosed with the condition has continued to rise, not just in Scotland but throughout the UK and beyond.

"Diabetes is estimated to account for around 10% of the total NHS budget. If poorly controlled it can lead to serious health complications, and it also disproportionately affects people from more deprived backgrounds. That is why it is a priority for this government.

"This improvement plan builds on the excellent progress that has been made in Scotland. I am determined that we continue to push forward in crucial areas like early diagnosis, good quality treatments and innovation."

Jane-Claire Judson, National Director of Diabetes Scotland, said:

"Diabetes is a serious health issue in Scotland so we welcome the new Diabetes Improvement Plan published by the Scottish Government. We look forward to helping set the plan in motion and continuing our work to improve the lives of people living with diabetes. However, we would urge the Scottish Government to ensure that a more robust approach to patient engagement is utilised so that the people who are most affected have a say in the care and support delivered. We look forward to working alongside people with diabetes, the Scottish Government and healthcare partners towards a better future for all people living with condition."

Professor John McKnight, Lead Clinician for Diabetes in Scotland, said:

"We have made significant improvement in the care and treatment of people living with diabetes in Scotland, driven by the Diabetes Action Plan 2010. The improvements are a result of the work of the dedicated and enthusiastic teams that provide diabetes care in NHS Scotland. 

"Our new Diabetes Improvement Plan identifies the priorities, which we as a diabetes community will focus on over the coming years, to ensure we continue to improve the services we provide. The prevalence of diabetes continues to rise and we must continually improve the way we deliver services to ensure that people living with diabetes receive the care and treatment they need and deserve.

"Scotland is fortunate to have a world leading clinical data system to support that change and the priorities in the improvement plan aim to improve the prevention of diabetes and its complications, rapidly diagnose diabetes and support people to manage their diabetes well to live full and active lives."