TY - JOUR T1 - Is the ‘scandal’ of diabetes care in general practice fact or fiction? JF - British Journal of General Practice JO - Br J Gen Pract SP - 300 LP - 300 DO - 10.3399/bjgp14X680233 VL - 64 IS - 623 AU - Denis Pereira Gray AU - Peter Langley AU - Eleanor White AU - Philip Evans Y1 - 2014/06/01 UR - http://bjgp.org/content/64/623/300.abstract N2 - At a national conference in 2013 (the Nuffield Trust Summit), I was challenged about the alleged unacceptable standard of diabetes care in general practice. Similarly Diabetes UK1 refers to the ‘scandal’ of inadequate standards of care.If standards are to be of value to patients and professionals they need to be based on good research and be achievable in usual clinical practice. They must also meet the requirements for ethical and compassionate care. We are satisfied that the current criteria are based on good research and agree with the nine clinical targets promoted by the Department of Health and Diabetes UK following NICE guidance in 2012.2 However, we have serious reservations. Are these standards sensible and ethical and are the national figures accurate?The current Health and Social Care Information Centre3 (HSCIC) asks the audit question: ‘What percentage of people registered with diabetes received the nine NICE key processes of diabetes care?’ and Diabetes UK1 aims to ensure that: ‘ … ER -