Prevention and early detection of Type 2 diabetes
From February 2007 to 2008
You may recall that in earlier newsletters we commented on the failings of Hounslow PCT to meet the National Service Framework requirements for the NHS to act in relation to prevention and early detection of type 2 diabetes, where Hounslow PCT has still not allocated any funding towards prevention or early detection of type 2 diabetes.
Local diabetes awareness activity is necessary in order to influence the public (particularly those in harder to reach communities) to make lifestyle changes in order to help prevent them from developing diabetes; and to perform screening to identify those who have diabetes (but do not know that they have it) for them to start controlling their blood sugars. Otherwise people will be still at risk of developing diabetes or complications that are otherwise avoidable.
The “Hounslow PCT Commissioning Intentions for 2007-08” were approved at the PCT Board Meeting on 1st February 2007, but did not show intention to commission “awareness” activity or screening. Our Chair has raised this matter with the PCT many times over the last 2 years and been told that nothing is being done whilst the PCT have a deficit as there is no funding available.
At the PCT Board Meeting in February 2007, our Chair made a formal offer of help from our Voluntary Group and its voluntary resources to undertake “Awareness” initiatives and assist in screening. This offer extended the work already being done by us at the Diabetes Information Desk at West Middlesex Hospital and the road shows through 2006. It will incorporate us supplying literature display wall units to be installed within Outpatients One at West Middlesex Hospital.
The “Hounslow PCT Commissioning Intentions for 2008-09” are yet to be presented to the Board, but whilst there is a deficit I do not think funds will be allocated towards prevention and early detection.
Throughout 2007 we continued our partnership with the PCT by carrying out Diabetes Awareness activities to promote prevention and early detection of diabetes, details of which can be found on the “Past Events” page of this website.
We will continue these awareness activities throughout 2008, and expand on them. We hope to do more road shows than before, to make them more effective, to generate larger audiences, and to concentrate our efforts in reaching out to the harder to reach communities.
However we will continue to place pressure on the PCT to commission these activities from paid professionals.