The idea is to bring services closer to the patient's home or into their home, with hospital consultants potentially holding sessions in community diabetes clinics.

It's all part of a pro-active scheme, being led by NHS East Lancashire, the community health commissioner for the area.

In general, the front-line level of services will be carried out by GPs in local surgeries, with a further level of services conducted in a local health or community centre.

As part of the process, local health professionals are holding an event on Monday to listen and learn from the experience of diabetes patients from East Lancashire.

The event, put on jointly by NHS East Lancashire and NHS Blackburn with Darwen, is being held at Clayton Park Conference Centre, Clayton-le-Moors, starting with an informal get-together at noon, the event itself starting at 1 p.m.

Patients who wish to contribute are asked to attend the event to help health professionals design new services around their needs.

Susan Warburton, NHS East Lancashire's Commissioning Manager for Long-Term Conditions, said: "We want to improve community services for those with diabetes as a priority issue, aiming to reduce health inequalities and ultimately, mortality rates.

"We want to shift care closer to people's homes and, where appropriate, into the patient's home. As part of this, we are holding a Patients' Stories Event and inviting diabetic patients to come and tell us their story."

She said this could include their views and experiences at GP, community and hospital level. In this way, the new community focus would be better informed and service designed around patients' needs.

• For more information or to book a place, ring 0845 603 1068 or email janet.odriscoll@eastlancspct.nhs.uk