Introduced 10 years ago, the National Service Framework for Diabetes (NSF) set 12 challenging core standards to inform diabetes care delivery, and therefore it is not surprising that some have not yet been achieved. Lack of resources, compounded by the increasing prevalence of diabetes and the emphasis on tighter control to reduce mortality and morbidity, have resulted in some key aspects of the NSF remaining undelivered.
In order to build on the NSF and address the challenges posed by diabetes within the Principality, the Welsh Government has published a Diabetes Delivery Plan to provide a framework for action by all those involved in influencing and delivering diabetes care. Although the timescale for the plan spans 2013–16, the expectation is that several key objectives must be achieved by early 2014, shortly after its implementation.
The Diabetes Delivery Plan will ensure that diabetes will be considered a priority within NHS Wales. However, for its implementation and achievement of targets, there will need to be an overview of current baseline delivery of diabetes care. Investment will need to take place in improved community support, evidence-based intensive lifestyle intervention programmes for diabetes prevention, as well as training of healthcare professionals in delivering brief lifestyle interventions, greatly increased availability of structured education, employment of more specialist nurses and a review of integrated care models. These will require significant new financial and people investments
David Millar-Jones and Pam Brown will provide further insight into the Welsh Diabetes Delivery Plan in the first issue of the Journal in 2014
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