Is it an emergency?
Posted on
in North East Essex News
Issued on behalf of the Suffolk GP Federation
People living with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in north east Essex are receiving some of the very best care in the country.
New figures recently published by the NHS National Diabetes Audit, which tracks how well local areas are performing, show that the North East Essex Diabetes Service (NEEDS) is delivering an outstanding level of support and care to local people – achieving excellent results which are better than most other areas in England.
Highlights of the latest audit include:
- NEEDS is the top achiever in England for the number of personalised care plans delivered, which include annual patient “MOTs” to enable people to set their own health goals and improve their health – 64.8% of local diabetes patients participated in this annual review, compared to an England average of 27%
- Having diabetes means you are more likely to develop problems with your feet, so an annual foot check is vital. Locally 81% (Type 1) and 83% (Type 2) of patients had a foot check, compared to an England average of 51% and 59%
- Regular educational events are important to inform and motivate patients to keep well. NEEDS is the best in England for reaching patients, with 65.1% of Type 1 diabetes patients participating in an educational programme, compared to an England average of 37.9%
It is estimated that 6% of people 338,326 (2018 ONS survey) in the area are living with diabetes, and around 19,000 people have Type 2 diabetes.
NEEDS has been delivered by the Suffolk GP Federation for the last eight years and over that time has committed to addressing the very real concerns of increasing numbers of people developing Type 2 diabetes. The service works closely with the area’s 32 GP practices with the aim of supporting patients away from the hospital environment and as close to home as possible.
Adele Holcombe, who leads the North East Essex Diabetes Service, says: “We are incredibly proud that the service we give to local people is top rated in England.
“Everyone in the service has worked incredibly hard to develop new ways of working, especially with the challenges of the pandemic, meaning the last couple of years have certainly tested our ability to reach out and support people.
“These figures show we achieved a lot during the pandemic, and it is through the very close working with the GP practices in north east Essex that we have managed to continue to give people the help they need to live with this condition.
“I want to thank GP practice staff for all they have done and continue to do to support diabetes care across the patch, and patients who through their participation with our service are attaining excellent outcomes.”