What action it is taking to ensure that people with type 1 diabetes are aware of the impact of not taking their medication.

For people with type 1 diabetes, insulin regimes are essential for good glucose control, to ensure that the risks of diabetes-related complications are minimised. People with type 1 diabetes are made fully aware of the importance of taking insulin when they are diagnosed with the condition. This is followed up through regular clinical reviews, either within general practice, or with hospital consultants where appropriate, at which individual glucose control and adherence to medication are monitored. The 2009 Scottish Diabetes Survey shows that over 87% of people with type 1 diabetes had their blood glucose control recorded in the previous 15 months, mainly as a result of the diabetes domain in the Quality Outcomes Framework of the new GMS contract.
The importance of controlling blood glucose levels, and the medications required to help people do so, are highlighted in the booklet for patients and carers issued to accompany the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network (SIGN) Guideline 116 on the management of diabetes, published in March 2010. It also features strongly in the management and monitoring sections of the mydiabetesmyway website. We recognise that effective self management of this type requires access to high quality information and emotional and psychological support, and that will be reflected in the revised Scottish Diabetes Action Plan which we expect to be published in the near future.