We have no cure for diabetes but as the recently published National Service Framework for Diabetes: Standards notes `with the support of high quality healthcare, people with diabetes have the potential to live long lives free of the devastating complications suffered by previous generations`.1 An earlier NSF, that for Coronary Heart Disease, observes that `excellence requires that important, simple things are done right all the time`.2 Exactly the same maxim can be applied to diabetes care. Vinod Patel and John Morrissey outline their Alphabet Strategy — a condensed but simple mnemonic to help them get seven important, simple things right:
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References
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National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease, 2000, Department of Health.
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Testing Times: a review of diabetes services in England and Wales. Audit Commission, 2000.
