Health Minister launches new primary care diabetes service

Health Minister Michael McGimpsey today officially launched a new primary care-based service for people in the Northern Board area with diabetes.

The new service is for patients who have Type 2 diabetes and have come to the point of needing insulin therapy to manage their condition.

Traditionally, patients who required these injections were referred to a hospital-based clinic. But now that service will be provided by GPs and specialist diabetic nurses, and practice staff who will be fully trained to provide people with the information, support and practical help they need to manage their condition.

Speaking at the launch of the new service in Garvagh, the Minister said: “I understand that this is the first service of its kind in Northern Ireland.

“The new service is very much in line with our overall policy aim of providing a much greater range of diagnostic and treatment services in primary and community care settings to relieve the pressures on our local hospital services.

“The service will provide for early intervention and effective management arrangements which will help people to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to care for themselves and their condition more effectively.

“I hope that this initiative will clearly demonstrate that, with the right information, support and practical help from their GP and community specialist diabetic nurses, people who need to begin insulin therapy can be helped to successfully manage their condition.”

Michael Wood, Chairman of the Northern Health and Social Services Board, said: "This initiative will further develop the range of healthcare services which can be provided by family doctors as well as supporting patients requiring insulin therapy and who wish to avail of this service locally.

“It is estimated that up to 280 patients could annually be initiated on insulin therapy by their local GP Practice, rather than have to attend hospital.”

The new service will have strict inclusion criteria, and patients will have a choice whether they wish to be treated in the GP Practice or in a hospital setting.

Notes to Editors:

1. It is intended that 47 GP practices in the Northern Board will provide this service, representing 57% of the practices in the Board’s area.
2. The service started on 1 October 2007 in those practices with the expertise needed to deliver the service. The majority of practices will undertake the training they need to deliver the service in January 2008.
3. The new service will be provided as a Local Enhanced Service under the provisions of the GMS contract. GP practices will be paid £140 for each patient who is successfully initiated onto insulin therapy.
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