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Clive Thompson CBE gave the following statement regarding the future of Diabetes care in the local region. He is the Chairman of Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals Trust and of the Stephanie Marks Appeal.
”The new Surrey care trust is looking to design a new health system that will bring more care closer to people’s homes by strengthening community services.
Whilst this process is underway, there is continuing uncertainty and people are asking how these changes will affect The Stephanie Marks Diabetes Appeal.
Let me reassure you that the need to deliver ’first class’ diabetes care hasn’t changed, it is as strong as ever and the new concepts are exactly those promoted by the Appeal. In fact, as the number of people with the condition escalates the role of the Appeal increases in importance.” Explains Clive Thompson CBE, Appeal Chairman.
Our proposed ’Model of Care’ already reflects the shift to bring fast access to diabetes care to the patient in the community. Ours is a community wide project to create a ’Centre of Excellence’ dedicated to diabetes care, education and treatment, supported by a network of diabetes clinics. Patients can have their ’day-to-day’ management locally but will have fast access to the main Resource Centre to receive specialist treatment in more serious circumstances, in a seamless integration between primary and secondary care.
For the majority of diabetes sufferers, the carer is the patient themselves; hence the need for education is vital in giving confidence to the self-caring patient.
It is estimated 3% of the local population currently have the condition; this figure could rise to 5% by 2010. Diabetes affects people of all ages. It’s estimated that one million people are unaware they have the condition, which can lead to long-term health problems if left undetected.
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