A RAFT of new initiatives to boost the treatment of diabetics is to be introduced in Burnley after health chiefs praised the borough for its "energy and enthusiasm" in tackling the illness.

Members of the Burnley Health Care NHS Trust board heard big changes were in the pipeline for sufferers at a meeting yesterday.

The NHS Executive Centre for Health Care Development carried out an audit as part of the North West Diabetes Services Appraisal, which surveyed the care and facilities provided by different trusts.

Burnley was praised for its "energy and enthusiasm" and developments, such as a district diabetes register, Local Diabetes Service Advisory Group, introduction of a screening programme and joint obstetrics/diabetes clinic, were given the thumbs up.

Suggested improvements in the appraisal report included the employment of a diabetes programme manager for the district, the creation of a new advisory body -- the Local Diabetes Services Implementation Group -- offering all diabetes 'stakeholders' a chance to contribute and an executive group to manage the delivery of diabetes services. The report also said: "The overall strategy must include the development of an equitable service for all people with diabetes including people from ethnic minority communities and the housebound residents of care homes."

The trust's Diabetes Specialist Nursing Service was deemed "stretched" with demands on nurses' time outweighing their ability to deliver.

"Further, there is a lack of clarity, particularly among some primary care practitioners as to the roles of the DSNs."

The report stated there was an "urgent need" for the service to re-define its role, identify the demand for its skills and decide what it will and will not do.

The trust has been given three months to submit a response and action plan to the report's findings to the Centre for Health Care Development

In a year's time a meeting will be arranged between a CHCD representative and trust bosses to discuss what progress has been made.

Trust executive David Chew said: "Progress has been made with our PCT colleagues to address the most important recommendation -- strategic planning -- and a Local Diabetes Service Implementation Group for Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale has been established.

"This will work through the recommendations and be in a position to implement the NSF Diabetes agenda when it is published."