GPs warn of 'enormous influx' from Boots diabetes risk assessments

[Northerner]

Boots pharmacies have begun offering free diabetes risk assessments in all stores, in a scheme GPs warn could see an ?enormous influx? of patients into practices.

The scheme involves pharmacists using a recognised diabetes risk score to assess the risk of patients developing type 2 diabetes, with those deemed high risk advised to see their GP.

The scheme has been rolled out in conjunction with charity Diabetes UK, and will see pharmacists offering advice on lifestyle changes and how to prevent the onset of diabetes.

GPs have welcomed the scheme, but say that it could lead to duplication of tests and should be carried out in practices.

Participants will answer seven questions related to age, gender, waist circumference, BMI, ethnic background, blood pressure and family history- in a Diabetes Risk Assessment tool developed by the University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust in collaboration with Diabetes UK.

http://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/clinica...isk-assessments/20001640.article#.UQN3TL_sySo

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[LeeLee]

Is there a down-side here? The 'worried well' will be reassured and won't bother their GPs unnecessarily, whereas those who have diabetes or at least increased risk will have more of a chance of preventing or delaying complications. OK, the GPs will have to repeat the tests to be certain of what they're dealing with - so what? The benefit of decreasing morbidity must surely outweigh the initial inconvenience and cost.

 

[Northerner]

Is there a down-side here? The 'worried well' will be reassured and won't bother their GPs unnecessarily, whereas those who have diabetes or at least increased risk will have more of a chance of preventing or delaying complications. OK, the GPs will have to repeat the tests to be certain of what they're dealing with - so what? The benefit of decreasing morbidity must surely outweigh the initial inconvenience and cost.

I think the difficulty with these big campaigns is that GPs are usually not given extra resources to deal with the fallout.

 

[trophywench]

Well why should they be Alan?

As I understand it, GPs get a flat rate per capita. So if the person is already registered with that GP, the doc is already being paid. GP still gets the dosh even if he doesn't get sick. So if the person does get sick, so what?

Of course if the patient turns out to have D, the GP should be pleased because he WILL be paid more money to pay for the annual testing etc.

To begin with it's only a couple of appts isn't it? One to see doc and fingerprick, then to see nurse to get all the Lifestyle stuff, have your waist measured and weight and all that malarkey. If they want an armful of blood for an A1c or an OGTT most of em send you to the hospital for that (beats me why OGTT can't be done at GP surgeries anyway, hardly rocket science, is it?)

What are they saying? The NHS doesn't pay us enough per capita so Boots shouldn't do this?

Do the GPs in every area say this whenever the DUK caravan rolls into town?