Point of CARE testing in a general practice setting trial

INTERVENTION: The primary purpose of the trial is to evaluate the clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and safety of PoCT in a general practice setting. There are two phases to the trial. In the first phase, patients in practices from the experimental group will have their testing performed both by pathology laboratories in the usual manner and by PoCT in general practice. In phase 2 of the trial, patients in the experimental group will be tested using only PoCT in their usual general practice. CONDITION: Diabetes Hyperlipidaemia and anticoagulantm therapy PRIMARY OUTCOME: improved control for patients with lipids, diabetes and INR SECONDARY OUTCOME: 1) safety (competency, quality asurance, quality control and precision and accuracy) 2) Cost effectiveness of PoCT 3) Satisfaction with PoCT (GPs, patients, practice staff, other stakeholders). INCLUSION CRITERIA: Have an established disease. The criteria for categorising a patient as having established disease are: 1. Anticoagulant therapy patient has been prescribed warfarin and has had INR test results within the therapeutic range for at least one month (i.e. is stabilised). 2. Diabetes patient has had a fasting plasma glucose > = 7.0 mmol/L or 2‐hour post glucose load >=11.1 mmol/L. 3. Hyperlipidaemia patient is, or has been, eligible for pharmaceutical benefits for lipid lowering drugs (statins).