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National Clinical Director for Diabetes appointed

Health Minister David Lammy today announced nine pilot areas that will speed up diagnosis and treatment for people most at risk of developing diabetes, helping to reduce the number of those who go blind, have limbs amputated or develop complications of the disease such as coronary heart disease.

Clinicians working in the pilots, based in inner city areas, will increase the identification of people at risk of Type 2 diabetes - those who are over 40, overweight, have heart disease or who have had a stroke - by introducing blood sugar level screening.

The pilots in Liverpool, Bradford, Leicester, Haringey, Portsmouth, Coventry, Bristol, Luton and Sunderland will be at the forefront of implementing a radical diabetes National Service Framework (NSF) delivery strategy launched last month.

Speaking at a diabetes clinic at Crouch End Road Surgery in Haringey Mr Lammy said:

"With the number of people living with diabetes increasing every year, it is important that people at risk of developing the disease are identified before they develop symptoms of the disease and suffer a poor quality of life. Everyone at risk must have the opportunity to make lifestyle changes, such as losing weight and increasing physical activity, to delay or prevent the onset of both diabetes and heart disease.

"Our goal in setting up these screening pilot sites is to make the best diabetes services already offered in some places the norm. We are determined to improve the quality of care for people with diabetes, or at risk of developing the disease, regardless of where they live or who they are. There is strong evidence that by helping people manage their care in partnership with clinicians, and supported by good information, life expectancy can be increased, illness and disability reduced, and inequalities tackled. I am very pleased that Haringey is to be one of these pilot sites as I'm well aware of the high rates of diabetes in Haringey.

"As we outlined in our diabetes delivery strategy last month, we expect all local health services, not just these pilot areas, to set themselves challenging, measurable targets that result in tangible service improvements. This approach is in keeping with our aim of devolving responsibility to front line services. Over time, as the diabetes NSF is delivered locally, people with diabetes should expect better services and greater involvement."

Mr Lammy also announced today that Dr Sue Roberts, a consultant physician based at the Diabetes Resource Centre of the Northumbria Health Care Trust has been appointed as the new National Clinical Director for Diabetes. Dr Roberts will:

Welcoming her appointment Dr Roberts said:

"I am delighted to have been chosen to lead the changes that will happen over the next ten years to make a real difference to the lives of people with diabetes. The Delivery Strategy gives us a clear route to implement the standards that were set at the end of 2001. These plans are good for everyone - for those living with diabetes and those working with them to improve their everyday lives. The NSF recommends things that have been shown to work and really make a difference to services for people with diabetes.

"This is a real and exciting change in priorities for diabetes services. All these things are actually happening somewhere in the UK right now. They can be adopted much more widely with the training and support underpinning the diabetes NSF.

Commenting on Dr Roberts appointment, Mr Lammy said:

"Sue Roberts brings with her a real understanding of the problems that people with diabetes can face, and practical experience of organising services to ensure that those problems do not affect their quality of life. This is good news for people with diabetes, and those who provide the care and support they need."

Paul Streets, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK said:

"This is another significant step forward in delivering better diabetes care. A well supported National Clinical Director for diabetes can provide the lead required for those helping people with diabetes in their communities. The launch of the pilot sites for finding the million people who have diabetes but don't yet know it, will also ensure that all will benefit, not just those lucky enough to have already had their diabetes discovered early. We look forward to working with Dr Roberts to ensure the promise of the National Service Framework is realised."

Sue Cradock, Consultant Nurse in Diabetes Care for Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust and Portsmouth City Primary Care Trust, said:

"Portsmouth City PCT is pleased to be one of the screening pilot sites. Identifying people earlier who are at high risk of diabetes and CHD are important steps to reducing the burden of the disease on individuals and the health service. The redesign of diabetes services to better serve the local population is one of our priorities. It is good news for diabetes services and people with diabetes that Dr Sue Roberts has been appointed to the position of National Clinical for Diabetes.

"Sue is well known for her leadership and passion for improving local services by integrating primary and secondary care services more effectively. She is also known for her work and drive in supporting the development of structured self management education for people with diabetes - a key part of improving outcomes for the increasing population with diabetes."Mr Lammy also announced new research programmes for screening of Type 2 diabetes, as recommended by the joint Department of Health and the Medical Research Council Review of research. One programme will look at the benefits of screening populations at high risk of diabetes and the other will look at the practicalities of screening for both diabetes and cardiovascular disease in the nine pilot sites in disadvantaged areas."