Diabetes screening for housebound patients

Annual screening for patients with diabetes plays an important role in preventing complications. An audit carried out at a GP practice showed that housebound patients with diabetes were not receiving adequate treatment and support as they could not attend the clinic at the surgery. District nurses at the practice were trained in the management of diabetes and screened patients, who were then visited by a GP. The initiative highlighted a range of previously undetected problems with the patients' conditions, which were then addressed. The service is now available to newly diagnosed housebound patients with diabetes, as well as providing annual reviews for current patients.