Diabetes

Health written question – answered at on 21 November 2013.

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Photo of James Morris James Morris Conservative, Halesowen and Rowley Regis

To ask the Secretary of State for Health

(1) with reference to the answer to the hon. Member for Torbay of 18 March 2013, Official Report, column 521W, on continuing care, what recent progress the NHS Commissioning Board has made in developing the Diabetes Action Plan; and when he expects this document to be published;

(2) on what date the operation of the National Service Framework for Diabetes will end; and who is leading work on that framework;

(3) what steps he has taken to ensure that the quality of care for people with diabetes is maintained in the period between the end of the operation of the National Service Framework for Diabetes and the start of the Diabetes Action Plan.

Photo of Jane Ellison Jane Ellison The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health

The National Service Framework for Diabetes, published in 2001, was a 10-year strategy vision.

Since 1 April 2013, responsibility for ensuring the quality of diabetes care sits with NHS England and clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

Dr Jonathan Valabhji, the National Clinical Director for Obesity and Diabetes, is committed to improving the quality of NHS services and ensuring better health outcomes for people living with diabetes.

Through the Mandate, the Department has asked NHS England to demonstrate progress towards making the NHS among the best in Europe at supporting people with ongoing health problems such as diabetes to live healthy and independent lives, with better control over the care they receive.

NHS England is continuing to develop the Diabetes Action Plan. This document will set out clearly how NHS England will drive improved outcomes for patients using diabetes as an exemplar. NHS England has advised that it aims to publish the Plan by the end of this year.

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) quality standard for adults with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes was published on 31 March 2011. This builds on NICE'S clinical guidelines, and also the National Service Framework for Diabetes. Quality standards are a powerful tool for NHS England to ensure that local commissioners are able to provide high quality care that meets the needs of their communities.

Diabetes is included in the Cardiovascular Disease Outcome Strategy, published in March 2013. The strategy sets out key actions for commissioners and providers to help improve the quality of care for those with or at risk of diabetes and to ensure that patients and carers get the best possible support.

NHS Improving Quality, as part of NHS England, is working with strategic clinical networks to support commissioners and providers deliver appropriate services and treatment to people with diabetes.

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