Systematic care of diabetic patients in a general practice

A diabetic clinic looking after 21 patients in a single-handed practice of 2,000 is described. It appeared that systematic care of these diabetics led to earlier detection and treatment of complications, and may have prevented or postponed serious disability. In the long term, a clinic such as this may help reduce practice work-load. Many clinic duties were carried out by a nurse, so that the clinic took up little doctor time. It is concluded that running a diabetic clinic is within the scope of general practice, provided the necessary support is given.