Diabetes: GIRFT Programme National Specialty Report (November 2020)

Summary

Getting It Right First Time (GIRFT) is designed to improve the quality of care within the NHS by reducing unwarranted variations. By tackling variations in the way services are delivered across the NHS, and by sharing best practice between trusts, GIRFT identifies changes that will help improve care and patient outcomes, as well as delivering efficiencies such as the reduction of unnecessary procedures and cost savings.

Content

Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to complications including diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), foot ulceration and amputation, sight loss, stroke and heart disease. Many of these outcomes are avoidable with better management of the condition and coordination of diabetes care services. 

Recommendations in this report, such as systems to support virtual clinics, can help the NHS as it faces the substantial challenge of recovering services following the COVID-19 pandemic, while remaining ready for any future surges, by operating more effectively and safely than ever before.