NHS Borders
Newly updated 16 June 2011
Who has diabetes?
Why are these figures important?
Borders profile
NHS Borders provide healthcare to approximately 110,200 members of the public. Within this population 4.8% of individuals have diabetes. This is 0.2% higher than the Scottish average and amounts to 5,355 members of the public. The Scottish Public Health Network estimate that a further 1,168 have this condition but have yet to be diagnosed. Healthcare is delivered in a predominantly rural setting, with an older than average population profile and low levels of deprivation.
The Better Diabetes Care survey, conducted by Diabetes UK Scotland in 2009, has suggested that access to referred services such as diabetic retinopathy screening to be similar to Scotland as a whole, with 1 in 10 people with diabetes not receiving annual eye checks. Similarly, access to foot care is comparable to the rest of the country with 54.0% of those with diabetes not receiving professional input from this service, with 1 in 10 using private care as an alternative to NHS care.
Issues within this Health Board include access to annual reviews, which cover areas such as eyes, feet, blood glucose levels, blood pressure weight and a discussion of how patients are feeling, has been demonstrated. In Scotland the average occurrence rate for such reviews are 94.0% whereas within the Borders this 12 month review only occurs 83.0% of the time.
In 2007, Diabetes UK Scotland and NHS Quality Improvement Scotland pulled together feedback from focus groups and surveys to report on what was the experience of care of people living with diabetes.
The review of the care experience of people living with diabetes within the Borders has suggested that patients within this region consider their Health Board to deliver prompt and efficient care. Communication between the public and healthcare staff is seen as successful with information and support about diabetes and its complications.
What people have said about diabetes care in Borders“Galashiels healthcare is tops. I have every help in understanding also at Borders General Hospital”
Tell the Scottish Government about your diabetesThe Scottish Government’s website Better Together is also interested to hear of people’s experiences of diabetes care. By submitting your experience of NHS care the government hope to improve health services across Scotland. You can follow this link or if you would like send us email Scotland@diabetes.org.uk and we’ll do it for you.Better TogetherScotland@diabetes.org.uk
