Written question asked by Iris Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party) on Wednesday, 1 November 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 November 2006. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Tuesday, 7 November 2006 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Diabetes

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland which (a) health boards and (b) NHS trusts in the Province have early intervention plans for tackling diabetes.

Answer: Each of the health and social services boards has a range of initiatives under way to raise awareness of diabetes and to reinforce the public health message of the importance of good nutrition, physical activity and smoking cessation in preventing diabetes and in slowing down the onset of complications, such as eye, renal and heart disease, which people with diabetes may develop.In 2006-07 the Department has invested £1 million in the General Medical Services Contract for the development of a GP practice-based service for the early detection and follow-up of people with diabetes. All GPs and other health care professionals working in HSS trusts have protocols in place to ensure that people with diabetes are proactively managed to reduce as far as possible the risk of complications.Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment in Northern Ireland. The health and social services boards have introduced a comprehensive eye screening programme to detect signs of eye disease in its early stages. The programme will be available to all people with diabetes over 12 years of age in 2007.

Secondary information