Groundbreaking work by GPs in Barking and Dagenham is delivering major improvements in care for local diabetes patients.
All 37 practices in the borough took part in a scheme which sought to reduce variation and improve outcomes. This has led to a big increase in type 2 diabetes diagnosis rates and better advice and support for those living with the condition.
As a result, the estimated number of undiagnosed diabetes cases in the borough has fallen from 1,642 in 2012-13 to 624 in 2017-18 – a decrease of more than 60 per cent.
Dr Anju Gupta, Clinical Lead for Diabetes for Barking and Dagenham CCG, who led the work, said:
“The success of this work has led to a significant improvement in our diabetes diagnosis rate and in the treatment and support provided to those living with the condition.
“Through the coordinated efforts by the CCG and our local GPs and their practice teams, we have been able to make a real difference to the quality of care we offer to our patients.”
Led by Barking and Dagenham CCG, the scheme saw more than 12,500 diabetes patients closely monitored – 12,210 with type 2 and 488 with type 1.
Dr Gupta, from the Abbey Medical Centre in Barking, said networking sessions and discussions between practices allowed GPs to share ways of using web-based data and this helped them optimise the care they provided.
“This project proves that better organisation of care, clinical leadership, and meaningful use of clinical data can overcome the challenges posed by socioeconomic deprivation and achieve high-quality care,” she said.
Improvements seen as a result of the work included: