It is about a year since the NHS reorganisation and some of your readers with diabetes may be confused by the ‘new’ NHS and how their condition is looked after.

There is much talk about people taking more responsibility for their own health and this is particularly important for people with diabetes. People have to look after their diabetes everyday, 365 days a year and it has to be managed to the high standard needed to provide the best possible quality of life and good health.

Part of this is that everyone with diabetes should have an annual review with their doctor and nine key health checks should be carried out. It is important that people with diabetes know what these checks are so that they can make sure that they are all carried out.

We have a leaflet ‘Know Your Rights’ to help people with diabetes to know the nine key checks. It also puts together a range of information which includes knowing their rights as a patient, the standards of care they should expect, what to do if things go wrong and how to effectively manage their appointments or consultations.

We are happy to send your readers this free leaflet and other free publications about diabetes, such as ‘Understanding Your Diabetes’ and ‘Diabetes – Everyday Eating’. Readers just need to contact us on 01604 622837, email martin@iddt international.org or write to IDDT, PO Box 294, Northampton NN1 4XS.

We hope that you will let your readers know how we can help.

Martin Hirst, Acting Chief Executive Officer, IDDT Northampton