If you have diabetes, it is important to understand what care you can expect to receive throughout your life and your role in managing your diabetes. We hope you will find this section helpful if you have been recently diagnosed, have had diabetes for some time or are caring for someone with diabetes.

To keep well and healthy, everyone with diabetes needs regular healthcare and attention. Effective treatment and ongoing management are essential to help reduce the risk of developing the long-term complications of diabetes such as stroke or eye disease. Routine healthcare also aims to:

• provide you with safe, effective and personal medical care
• support you to look after your diabetes yourself
• help you obtain the right information, equipment, skills and support to make healthy lifestyle choices.

This section explains how working together with your diabetes healthcare team in creating a care plan will help you manage your diabetes in the best possible way. It outlines the standard of care that you should receive from the National Health Service (NHS) and explains your role in managing your diabetes with the support of your diabetes healthcare team and other organisations. It also features a care review checklist.