Managing type 2 diabetes: new policy and interventions.

This paper presents a critical discussion of the recent developments in diabetes services and concurrent patient care, which have a significant impact on the way that community nurses provide care to people with diabetes. The current prevalence and rising incidence of type 2 diabetes is discussed, mentioning how this trend will impact on community nursing practice. New interventions and management guidelines are presented and discussed, with a focus on patient-centred care as the main driver for these changes. New pharmacological interventions (Byetta) and biochemical outcome measures are discussed which will have an impact on patient care, delivered by nurses working in the community.