Regular diabetes tests – are you missing out?

22nd February 2012 - The Chief Executive of Diabetes UK, Barbara Young, says that too few people with diabetes have access to all the health checks and services recommended by the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Baroness Young says: "A colossal amount of money is already being spent on diabetes - about 10% of the NHS budget - but too much of it is being used to treat the complications of diabetes rather than to prevent those complications developing in the first place."

Here are the tests and services Diabetes UK says patients should receive:

Seven diabetes tests

There are a number of tests the charity says people with diabetes should be getting. You should:

• Have your blood glucose levels measured at least once a year with an HbA1c blood test.
• Have your blood pressure measured and recorded at least once a year.
• Have your blood fats (cholesterol) measured every year.
• Have your eyes screened for signs of retinopathy every year. Using a specialised digital camera, a photo of each eye should be taken and examined by a specialist who will look for any changes to your retina (the seeing part at the back of your eye).
• Have the skin, circulation and nerve supply of your legs and feet examined annually.
• Have your kidney functions monitored annually. You should have two tests for your kidneys: a urine test for protein (a sign of possible kidney problems) and a blood test to measure kidney function.
• Have your weight checked and have your waist measured to see if you need to lose weight.

Diabetes tests for children

Children should have more frequent HbA1c measurements and generally do not have formal screening for complications (eg blood pressure, blood fats, eyes, feet and kidneys) until they are 12 years old. However, their weight, height and general health should be regularly monitored.

Seven diabates services

In addition the charity also believes there are a number of services people with diabetes should have access to. You should:

• Have a yearly healthcare plan agreed  between you and your diabetes healthcare team. If you live in Northern Ireland care planning is different so talk to your diabetes healthcare team.
• See specialist diabetes healthcare professionals to help you manage your diabetes. Diabetes affects different parts of the body and you should have the opportunity to see specialist professionals such as an ophthalmologist, podiatrist or dietitian.
• Be offered and have the opportunity to attend courses to help you understand and manage your diabetes.
• Receive high quality care if admitted to hospital. If you have to stay in hospital, you should still continue to receive high-quality diabetes care from specialist diabetes healthcare professionals, regardless of whether you have been admitted due to your diabetes or not.
• Get information and specialist care if you are planning to have a baby as your diabetes control has to be a lot tighter and monitored very closely. You should expect care and support from specialist healthcare professionals at every stage from preconception to post-natal care.
• Receive advice and support if you need to quit smoking. Having diabetes already puts people at increased risk of heart disease and stroke and smoking further increases the risk.
• Get emotional and psychological support. Being diagnosed with diabetes and living with a long term condition can be difficult. You should be able to talk about your issues and concerns with specialist healthcare professionals.