SWEETWISE: developing a multi-professional approach to diabetes mellitus.

The formation of a local joint professional network (LJPN) in Northamptonshire has led to a joint Continuing professional development initiative and an audit project to determine the take up of annual health checks by patients with diabetes mellitus with dentists, optometrists, pharmacists as well as the usual check with the General Medical Practice team. The findings showed that a significant number of patients (29-50%) do not access available dental, optometry and pharmacy advice. Better collaboration between the professions has the potential to improve health outcomes in diabetes mellitus and other areas where lifestyle modification reduces adverse health risks.