After new information has been added, an updated summary is sent to the GP and to the patient . GPs also receive quarterly summaries about their patients. All patients in the district now have an annual nurse review. The review creates a contract between the nurse and the patient to ensure clarity about what patient needs to know and do. Problems occurring between reviews are referred directly to the specialist nurse for assessment.
Patient education is a feature of all reviews provided in hospital.
Non insulin dependent patients, whose reviews are undertaken in primary care, are offered educational sessions at the hospital. Since the initiative was launched, communications and the development of good working relationships have been given priority. Care has been taken to ensure that messages have been consistent and the messenger heard. The sessions are proving popular and attracting many GPs and practice nurses. Resources deployed The local Consultant, Dr Bob Young, led the initiative working with the Diabetes Clinical Team.