Response from South West London CCG to Healthwatch Kingston Pulse check report - Services for people with diabetes from the NHS in Kingston

"As the report highlights, there are around 8,000 people in Kingston who have been diagnosed as having diabetes with likely a further 2,000 in the borough who have the condition but are unaware. We know that living with diabetes and managing daily life can be challenging and can have an effect on psychological well-being and so we would like to thank Healthwatch Kingston for engaging with 40 local residents to produce this report.

The report highlights some particular challenges for people living with diabetes during the COVID-pandemic, not helped by the pausing of health checks in practices for a period of time. It is good to hear that patients are positive about the specialist services available at Kingston Hospital and about the support from pharmacies and some primary care services.  We hope that going forwards into 22/23 services will return to normal whilst still having to live with the challenges of COVID.

However, the report highlights unwanted variation in the support from primary care across the borough. We are aware of this issue and will continue to take steps to reduce this variation. All practices are supported through the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) as well as a Locally Enhanced Diabetic Service, to ensure enhanced care plans, which in time should provide enhanced levels of support across the borough for those with diabetes.  Locally commissioned health checks provide a vehicle for trying to find those undiagnosed with diabetes.  We know these checks reduced during the pandemic but we expect the numbers tested to return to normal levels soon. The report also calls out a variation in skill sets and I am pleased to confirm that practices have access to the Cambridge Diabetes Education Programme to support with education and learning for colleagues working in primary care.  As well as this there is phycological support for people with diabetes through the iCope service, who have a diabetic pathway in place.

The report provides insights which the Kingston Diabetes Steering Group can use to inform future planning and support to people with diabetes.  We look forward to continuing to work closely with Healthwatch Kingston in the future."

 - Dr Gareth Hull, Diabetes Lead GP for Kingston