Reports and statistics

Background

Diabetes centres first emerged in the 1970s in response to the difficulties faced by diabetes outpatients clinics in providing new services and skills which were developing to support people living with diabetes. In the 1990s, with new approaches to care and greater involvement of primary care, the diabetes centre became the focus for integrated primary and specialist care.

A diabetes centre has been defined as a ‘locally based centre dedicated to the provision of diabetes education and care, staffed by an experienced diabetes team offering multi-disciplinary services on a continuous basis, working from committed accommodation within or linked with a general hospital’. The diabetes centre was seen as providing a focal point for local diabetes services, a venue where patients, their carers and staff from hospital and community could meet and where advice and education was available. They offered a base for an integrated specialist and primary diabetes service.

In 1998, the British Diabetic Association carried out a survey of diabetes centres. They estimated then that there were approximately 100-150 such centres and wanted to gather systematic information about them. The survey found that more resources were required for improved premises with more space and staff as well as improved computer facilities and information systems, links with community, development of integrated and shared care and a diabetes register held at the centre linking with annual review clinics, regular screening services and a 24 hour advisory service.

Aim

The aim of this survey was to explore the role of diabetes centres in the 21st century and to determine how this fitted with DH policy in delivering “High Quality Care for All”.