The diabetes national service framework (NSF), which sets out national standards and performance targets for diabetes care, was widely welcomed by patient lobbyists and doctors and nurses.

Around 1.4 million people in the UK have diagnosed diabetes and another million are thought to have the condition but do not realise it. It is the leading cause of blindness in the UK and it increases the risk of heart disease, kidney failure, amputations and strokes.

The charity Diabetes UK estimates that the health service spends about £5.2bn a year, 9% of the 2000 NHS budget, fighting diabetes and its complications, including heart, kidney and eye disease, strokes and foot problems.

The framework says that by 2006 every person with diabetes, or at risk of developing it, will be offered regular check ups and appropriate treatment by doctors, nurses, and other health professionals to ensure complications are spotted early.

A national clinical director for diabetes will be appointed to oversee the strategy.

The health secretary, Alan Milburn said "We chose diabetes as a NSF because we are determined to improve the quality of care for people with diabetes regardless of where they live or who they are. Our goal is to make the best practice already offered in some places the norm."

NSFs set out national standards, establish performance milestones and put in place strategies to deal with specific services or conditions. Since 1998, NSFs have been launched for cancer, paediatric intensive care, mental health, coronary heart disease and older people.

The deputy prime minister, John Prescott, who is a diabetic, said: " Most of the time I manage my diabetes myself - like others. The NSF's effectiveness lies in its recognition of this and its commitment to providing patients with the tools they need to manage their own condition."

Professor David Haslam, chair of council of the Royal College of GPs, said: "I was extremely pleased to see the diabetes NSF framework focus on patient empowerment, cultural sensitivity, the importance of community based care, and the value of multi-disciplinary, team-based care.

"I was also particularly encouraged that the framework gives a very clear recognition that an adequate workforce and level of resource is essential if there are to be significant changes in the standard of care."

Source: Guardian Unlimited.