AIM: To examine the provision and role of @entity6 specialist nurses (DSNs), and the content of @entity1 education programmes in the UK. METHOD: A postal survey of secondary care providers of @entity6 services in the UK in 2000. RESULTS: Following two reminders, a 77% response rate demonstrated 2.5 (median) whole time equivalent DSNs per 250 000 population, with only 13% of centres meeting the recommended staffing level of four per 250 000 population. The vast majority carried out work both in hospital and in the community, the proportion a reflection of who employed and managed staff. There was a wide variation in the qualifications required and the nursing gradings of DSNs, and regional variation in the number of grade I nurses, with the greatest proportion based in the South-east of England. The vast majority (96%) provided @entity1 education, and where it existed (in 60% of responses), were the major providers of a @entity1 help line (90%). Although key providers of @entity1 education, there had been no specific education for this task in over 20% of responses. There was broad consistency in the topics covered at educational sessions, although advice on footwear (76%) and home urine @entity413 monitoring (73%) were least frequently documented. The issuing of literature and cards for @entity1 use was also very variable. Over 25% of bids for @entity6 service improvement were for additional DSNs, but only 48% of these were successful. CONCLUSIONS: There has been an improvement in staffing levels of DSNs over the last 10 years but the numbers are many fewer than recommended in national strategy documents, with evidence that despite expansion being given a high profile, such efforts are often unsuccessful. There was also evidence of considerable variation in the qualifications and gradings of DSNs throughout the UK and indeed in their day-to-day roles, and the content of @entity1 education programmes. This suggests the need for a nationally co-ordinated approach to training and recruitment.

Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD): survey of specialist @entity6 care services in the UK, 2000. 2. Workforce issues, roles and responsibilities of XXXX specialist nurses.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patient'] @entity413 :: ('MESH:D005947', 'Chemical') :: ['glucose'] @entity6 :: ('MESH:D003920', 'Disease') :: ['diabetes']
@entity6 :: (MESH:D003920,Disease) :: ['diabetes']
