New diabetes patients benefit from early education

Diabetes Scotland said new data showed early education could make a big difference

A diabetes charity has welcomed new data from NHS Grampian scientists showing early, structured education for newly-diagnosed patients could help reduce their risk of developing devastating complications.

The north-east Scotland health authority carried out an evaluation of a programme which had been developed by NHS Forth Valley to give new Type 1 diabetes patients a structured programme of support.

They found that patients who had been through the Scottish Type 1 Education Programme (STEP) had better blood sugar levels than those who had not.

Diabetes Scotland said the findings were real world evidence that education could lead to substantial improvements for patients.