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Diabetes: putting people at the heart of services

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) has published a briefing on putting people at the heart of diabetes services.

Diabetes costs the NHS around £10 billion a year. It is a national priority and a focus of the NHS Long Term Plan. There are guidelines on diabetes management and NHS policy highlights the need for more person-centred care. This includes supporting people, and giving them the tools they need, to manage their own health. However, there are large inequalities in access to services across the country. 

Preventing type 2 diabetes, and managing both type 1 and type 2, requires life-long commitment, but the potential health gains are huge. Placing people at the heart of services can improve their engagement, health outcomes and experiences. Research can reveal ways to support this goal for diabetes care.

Their Collection brings together messages from research highlighted in accessible summaries - NIHR Alerts - over the past couple of years. It illustrates how taking account of individuals’ needs, differences and wishes could improve diabetes services. NIHR hope it provides useful information both for those commissioning and delivering services, and for members of the public.