Clin Med
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An online survey of consultant diabetologists in the UK examined the interface between specialist services and acute-general internal medicine (acute-GIM). Out of 592 consultants, 289 (49%) responded. Of these, 94% contributed to acute-GIM, devoting equivalent time to acute-GIM and specialist diabetes services. ⋯ The increased commitment to acute-GIM compromised specialist diabetes activity through reduced consultant and training-grade time for outpatient activity and service development. The shift to primary care of chronic disease led to further conflict between acute-GIM and delivery of a specialist service, given the current systems for provision of consultant-led care. The large number of specialist trainees in diabetes and endocrinology will require innovative commissioning mechanisms that reflect the need to sustain and develop specialist diabetes and endocrine care in the appropriate settings as well as the continued input in acute trusts for acute-GIM.