Meeting the challenges of housebound patients with diabetes

Abstract

Access to health care is a major determinant of population health, yet the people who need health care the most can be the least able to access it. The housebound are typically a frail group characterised by the potential for dramatic change to their wellbeing after a seemingly minor event. Housebound people with diabetes have been found to have lower rates of access to their nine essential health checks; most notably retinal screening uptake rate is halved in this population. In response, innovative service redesigns have been described. We are establishing a local inter-agency collaboration to provide a targeted service specifically for the housebound population with diabetes where all their diabetes care is delivered together. This shared project incorporates three GP surgeries, our local community care team, regional retinal screening provider, local volunteer drivers and befriending charities. The value of working with local charities that are embedded in the community has extended the scope of the service to address the loneliness which is often co-existent in this expanding patient group. Copyright © 2018 John Wiley & Sons.