Early-intervention treatment could allow diabetic patients to live longer

AN EARLY intervention diabetes treatment programme, which could allow patients to live longer while saving the state about €3,000 per patient per year, is proposed in a Health Service Executive report published last night.

More than 200,000 people in Ireland have diabetes, and the most common is the lifestyle-related diabetes 2.

The HSE Expert Advisory Group framework document points out that savings can be made by treating patients to prevent complications.

The document represents two years of collaboration between the health authority, medical specialists, hospital staff and GPs.

It proposes a treatment system that would allow patients with diabetes to live five to 10 years longer and avoid costly ill-health.

Consultant for diabetes and endocrinology at Waterford Regional Hospital and a member of the advisory group, Dr Graham Roberts, said at least 15% of acute hospital beds could be freed up by preventing the complications of diabetes. There is a cost implication, however, because it involves employing more people in order to save hospital beds by keeping patients well.

The report proposes a dramatic rise in consultant numbers and paying GPs for playing an increased role in the management of patients with diabetes.

Dr Roberts said the HSE needed to spend €1,000 for every €3,000 saved. “It costs a small amount of money to save a large amount of money and I believe the HSE is willing to spend the money.”

A spokesperson for the HSE said the recommendations would be implemented as outlined in the report “as soon as practicable” and stressed that the overall funding was provided in the HSE’s 2009 service plan.

HSE chief executive Prof Brendan Drumm said the report was their blueprint for the development of a first-class service for people with diabetes and pointed out that some recommendations were being acted on already.

“To improve the quality of life for people susceptible to diabetes and at the same time stem the tide of cost increases, we must reduce the risk of people getting the condition and minimise the onset of complications in those who already have it.”

Prof Drumm described the report as practical and patient-focused with a strong emphasis on prevention, service integration and community-based management supported by specialist services.

A second report outlining a framework for a national diabetic retinopathy screening programme for Ireland was also launched by the HSE. Retinopathy, a sight-threatening condition, is one of the most common complications of diabetes, but is preventable if detected early.

The scheme will start in the HSE’s western region next year and €750,000 is being allocated to implement the first stage of the screening service.

President of the Diabetes Federation of Ireland Prof Gerald Tomkin, who welcomed the reports, stressed the need for the recommendations be implemented together with a national strategy that further enhanced current levels of care for people with diabetes, regardless of where they lived.