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FOREWORD
The Scottish Diabetes Framework of 2002 and the Action Plan of 2006 were ambitious programmes designed to bring about real benefits for people in Scotland living with diabetes. Diabetes care in Scotland has undoubtedly improved significantly as a result, but there are still significant challenges.
The need to address those challenges is intensified by the rate at which the number of people living with diabetes is increasing. Diabetes services, which are already working harder than ever, will need to continue to innovate and evolve in order to deliver care that is not only as efficient as possible but which is also fully responsive to the wishes of people with diabetes. To achieve this, we will need to take advantage of developments in research and in technology such as telehealthcare, while helping to strengthen the capacity of people with diabetes to influence services through their participation in the diabetes Managed Clinical Networks.
We want our revised Action Plan to link with and strengthen the health improvement work already under way to address the relevant risk factors, such as obesity, diet and physical activity, as well as the unacceptable health inequalities associated with diabetes. It must also consider specific issues of importance to people with diabetes such as structured education needs, the availability of insulin pump therapy and access to psychological care. The consultation is also an opportunity to consider what more we can do to recognise self management as a vital component of diabetes care.
I would like to thank Diabetes UK Scotland for its help in producing this consultation document. Its involvement during the consultation process will be crucial in helping us obtain a valuable insight into the needs and wishes of people with diabetes that will inform the core of our Diabetes Action Plan for the next 3 years.
I hope that you will take this opportunity to engage with our consultation and provide us with your ideas, views and aspirations for future diabetes care. The Scottish Government wants to continue the ambitious approach of previous work through the revised Action Plan which we intend to publish this November as our contribution to the 20th anniversary of the St Vincent declaration on diabetes care and research.
Shona Robison
Minister for Public Health and Sport
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