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Thousands of people with diabetes are to benefit from a better quality of life, as plans to mainstream patient education programmes in diabetes services were announced by Health Minister Rosie Winterton today.

A joint report by the Department of Health and Diabetes UK on patient education published today provides the NHS with guidance on  equipping patients with the knowledge they need to manage their condition effectively. The document includes new ideas, examples of good practice, and details of patient education programmes, which will support the delivery of high-quality education, a key priority in the National Service Framework (NSF) for Diabetes.

Now that the tools are in place to provide patients with learning resources,  National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) guidance on patient education will be reinstated. From January 2006, all Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) will need to implement NICE recommendations by providing all people with diabetes with high quality, structured education.

Speaking at the Diabetes UK annual parliamentary reception at the House of Commons, Rosie Winterton said:

'Equipped with the right knowledge and skills, patients can manage their diabetes much more effectively and get the best out of diabetes services. We are committed to mainstreaming consistent, high quality patient information and education in the NHS which we know can improve health outcomes.

'Supporting patients to improve things like their blood glucose control, diet, exercise and psychological wellbeing through education is a crucial part of any good diabetes service."

Dr Sue Roberts, National Clinical Director for Diabetes and joint chair of the Patient Education Working Group said:

"The NHS spends an estimated £5 million a day on diabetes care, much of which is due to complications that are preventable through good self management. Good diabetes care involves developing tailor made care to meet individual needs. With the resources and capacity to implement NICE guidance in place, I am confident that the diabetes services will give patients the confidence to manage their diabetes more effectively, resulting in impoved quality of life."

Diabetes UK President Jimmy Tarbuck said:

'I am delighted that the Government is taking steps to help make sure that people with diabetes are getting the education they need to enable them to manage their diabetes effectively."

This announcement comes during Diabetes Awareness Week, Diabetes UK's annual campaign to increase the public's knowledge of diabetes, its symptoms and effects.