Guidelines for diabetes are now being distributed to doctors and health care professionals who have patients suffering from the disease.

The list —Guidelines for Diabetes Care in Bermuda— were presented by Health Minister Walter Roban to doctors, stakeholders, the Bermuda Diabetes Association and various health representatives on November 23.

Mr. Roban said: "It will take all of us working together including the physicians, health care professionals and patients, to improve the quality of health care for diabetes and support patients in achieving these health goals.

"You cannot do it all, your patients also need to become more involved in their own health care. It is important they know what their role is in preventing the development of complications and striving to maintain their quality of life."

The Guidelines for Diabetes Care represent the consensus of the Diabetes Task Group based on collective analysis, evaluation and opinion on the current information available to them.

This included review of clinical guidelines from five recognised international diabetes organisations— American Diabetes Association, Canadian Diabetes Association, Caribbean Health Research Council, International Diabetes Federation and Royal College of Physicians in London.

According to a press statement: "Implementation of the guidelines will have great benefits to patients and the health care system. Benefits include early diagnosis and management of pre-diabetes to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes in these individuals.

"In persons with diabetes, the aim is to ensure standardised care and ongoing screening, treatment and early referral for diabetes complications. Delay in patients developing complications will reduce health care costs related to heart disease, dialysis, amputations and blindness and improve patient quality of life."

Last October, former Health Minister Nelson Bascome commissioned the task group to review best practice and develop guidelines for the management and care of diabetes.

It was comprised of 15 representative health care stakeholders including family physicians, and physicians, nurses, dietitians and pharmacists from the Bermuda Hospitals Board, Department of Health and the Bermuda Diabetes Association.

In November 2008, Mr. Bascome tabled a take note motion in the House of Assembly and led a debate on diabetes. MPs were asked to note diabetes as a major threat to public health in Bermuda and to provide support to align the public and private sector to further combat this health epidemic and to unite in the fight against diabetes.

A press conference will take place early next year to let the public know when the guidelines will be implemented.

Diabetes is the fifth leading cause of death in Bermuda, accounting for 4.4 percent of all deaths in 2006.