Research shows that pharmacists providing clinical services can both increase the number of patients with diabetes being treated and improve overall outcomes.

During National Diabetes Week last month, pharmacists from Interface Clinical Services carried out 21 diabetes reviews and 18 diabetes clinics.

Working with GPs and other practice staff, the Interface pharmacists have carried out 271 diabetes reviews so far this year, which have resulted in nearly 2,000 patients receiving improved treatment for diabetes, initiated by their GP.

The pharmacists have also advised over 3,000 diabetes patients over the phone or face-to-face. In 2016 they identified over 15,000 patients missing from the QOF primary care diabetes register.

According to the latest National Diabetes Audit, only 40 per cent of type 2 diabetes patients achieve treatment targets and only 54 per cent receive all the key care processes NICE recommends.