ABSTRACT
Diabetes mellitus affects 2-3 per cent of UK adults (DOH, 2002), with many diabetics remaining undiagnosed until a crisis occurs (Audit Commission, 2001). Incidence is higher in people of South Asian, African, AfricanCaribbean and Middle Eastern descent, increasing with age (5 per cent in over 65s, and 20 per cent in over 85s) (DOH, 2002) and obesity. Incidence will probably double by 2010 due to ageing populations and increasing obesity (Audit Commission, 2001). Human, financial and social costs of diabetes are high, and have prompted the publication of the National Service Framework for Diabetes (DOH, 2002).
