GP surgeries across the UK are taking part in an advertising campaign launched by Diabetes UK that is aimed at encompassing 15 healthcare essentials into the minimum standard of care for all people with diabetes.
The checklist follows previous warnings by the charity that up to half of the 3 million people with diabetes in the UK do not receive nine annual checks as recommended by NICE. With the 15 healthcare essentials, Diabetes UK aims to raise awareness of appropriate care standards, to encourage people with diabetes to directly influence the care they receive, and to build a case for the national improvement of diabetes care.
Adverts will be displayed in GP surgeries, pharmacies, hospitals and dentists across England and Scotland. These will provide details of routine checks that should be performed annually, such as blood pressure and cholesterol monitoring. Careful monitoring of these could help prevent the onset of complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness and amputation, helping to promote a long and healthy life for people with diabetes.
Barbara Young, Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, said: “Everyone is entitled to the care set out in our 15 Healthcare Essentials but unfortunately we know that too many people are not getting it.
“We want to make sure people are aware of the care they should be getting and these adverts will help raise awareness of this. We hope that engaging with people with diabetes in their doctor’s waiting room will reinforce just how important it is for them to get all their checks and prompt them to ask their healthcare professional for further help if they don’t think they are getting the support they are supposed to get and which they need to help them manage their condition.”
The 15 Healthcare Essentials checklist can be downloaded from: www.diabetes.org.uk/15-essentials.
