NHS Dumfries & Galloway
Udated 16 June 2011
Who has diabetes?
Why are these figures important?
Dumfries and Galloway profile
NHS Dumfries and Galloway provide healthcare to approximately 148,500 members of the public. Within this population 5.2% of individuals have diabetes. With many people in the area living in retirement the area has an older than average age profile and proportionately more people have Type 2 diabetes than the rest of Scotland. 7,771 individuals are recorded as having diabetes in Dumfries and Galloway. However, it is believed that a further 2,316 have this condition but have yet to be diagnosed.
The Better Diabetes Care survey, conducted by Diabetes UK Scotland in 2009, has suggested that diabetic retinopathy screening within Dumfries and Galloway to be more accessible when compared with the rest of Scotland. In this region only 1 in 20 with diabetes do not receive an annual eye check, whereas the national average of this figure is 1 in 10. In addition it has been noted that a high proportion of people in this region have been offered diabetes education compared to other Health Board regions.
Issues within this Health Board include the 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,. In Scotland the average occurrence rate for such reviews are 94% whereas within Dumfries and Galloway this 12 month review occurs 91% 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 Dumfries and Galloway have accredited this region with offering advice leading to improvements in diabetes control, while diabetes specialist nurses (DSN) and dieticians have been commended for excellence in managing treatment plans and recommending diets. The introduction of the diabetes structured education programme DAFNE (Dose Adjustment For Normal Eating) has been shown to be welcome addition to diabetes education within this region.
Voluntary Groups within Dumfries and Galloway
- Newton-Stewart
- Stewartry
What people have said about diabetes care in Dumfries and Galloway
“Love my Diabetes Specialist Nurse and dietician for information and help and treatment.”
Tell the Scottish Government about your diabetes
The Scottish Government’s websiteBetter Togetheris 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 emailScotland@diabetes.org.ukand we’ll do it for you.
