Diabetes care

The National Audit Office (NAO) have looked at standards for diabetics, analysing whether patients were receiving the nine basic services the Department of Health set in 2001. This includes cholesterol and blood pressure monitoring, eye screening and foot examinations.

The NAO have concluded that standards for diabetes care are still not being met in England and despite improvements, only half of patients were getting the checks. It also criticised ministers for not having a grip on costs and said the NHS was spending at least £3.9bn a year on diabetes - three times more than ministers had estimated.

The government have responded by saying the NAO had taken only a "snapshot" of care. Services Minister Paul Burstow said plans were already in place to improve services, but he also added: "There is no excuse for delivering anything but the best diabetes care."

For further information, visit www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18165095