DIABETES ACTION PLAN 2010

DIABETES ACTION PLAN 2010
QUALITY CARE FOR DIABETES IN SCOTLAND
3.10 Structured education
Where we want to be:
We want to increase the number of people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes who have
been invited to participate in and have attended a quality assured structured education
programme.
Why we want to be there:
Since the 2006 Action Plan was published, structured education has become recognised as
central to diabetes care and to the self management of long term conditions generally. In
Diabetes UK Scotland’s survey of people living with diabetes, structured education was
the most valued type of education. This should underpin our actions over the next three
years.
Effective self management of diabetes is the cornerstone of quality care and individual
patient education is essential to optimise self management. A range of education
programmes for patients and staff is available. A healthcare professional, funded by SDG,
will be seconded to NES for two years to ensure patient and staff education programmes
are complementary and effective. The need for this role was identified after discussions
between the voluntary sector, patients, staff, QIS, NES and SDG.
Progress has been made, including the initial roll out of DAFNE and DESMOND and the
emergence of localised courses like TIM (Tayside Insulin Management programme).
However, the next three years needs to see a significant increase in access and quality.
The recommendations on structured education in SIGN Guidance 116 will help promote
this work.
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