Cannock Chase PCT (*now amalgamated into South Staffordshire PCT) won an award from the modernisation programme for the development of its treatment guidelines and management pack for type 2 diabetes in primary care. The project was also one of only four shortlisted for an award by the Health Service Journal (HSJ) in the chronic disease management category. Over 1200 entries were submitted for the HSJ awards held in 2004.

The guidelines are based on NICE guidance and are in line with the National Service Framework for diabetes. They also support the quality and outcomes framework of the new GMS contract.

The diabetes management pack takes a comprehensive and holistic educational view and includes a complete annual review template. This was designed by the Cannock Chase project team working closely with the South Staffordshire PRIMIS Data Quality Team, who advised on content and the inclusion of the preferred Read codes. Some practices run annual diabetic clinics, while others build up the annual checks over several clinics. This template ensures that all patients across Cannock Chase PCT receive equal high standards of care. The paper template may be used on home visits or by attached staff and will facilitate the transfer of consistent data to clinical systems.

The South Staffordshire PRIMIS team has already started working with practices to build templates on their clinical systems to mirror the paper template.

* Since this case study was first produced, Cannock Chase was amalgamated into South Staffordshire PCT, following the 2006 PCT restructuring.