Guidelines for good practice in the diagnosis and treatment of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Report of a joint working party of the British Diabetic Association, the Research Unit of the Royal College of Physicians, and the Royal college of General Practitioners.

The guidelines were prepared by a working party of physicians, general practitioners, specialist nurses, public health physicians, an economist, and a patient. They should be of value in establishing locally agreed guidelines. Non-insulin-dependent diabetes (NIDDM) affects more than 1% of the population, and 70-80% of all people with diabetes have this form of disorder. Care of these patients by general practitioners is rapidly increasing and perhaps the majority will, at least in the early stages, be treated in primary care. The working party encourages the formation of district diabetes committees involving both general practitioners and hospital specialists to support and maintain the best standards of diabetes care.