£200,000 grant to improve diabetes care in Midlands

Diabetes UK and the Centre for Patient Leadership (CPL) have been awarded £200,000 to develop innovative ways for people living with diabetes to work with the NHS to lead improvements in care in the Midlands.

The money is from the Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund, which is run by the Department of Health, supports the voluntary sector to develop strategic innovative approaches to healthcare and best practice that are led by volunteers. 

The partnership will build on the Centre for Patient Leadership’s experience of developing patient leaders and Diabetes UK’s expertise in diabetes health care to make real change in local services.

The grant will be used to help clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) in six areas in the Midlands work better with people with diabetes to improve care and access to local services.

The project team will provide support and advice to the CCGs and train the Patient Leaders. The results of the project will be used to help develop resources that future patient leaders and CCGs can use.

Barbara Young, Diabetes UK Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted that the Health and Social Care Volunteering Fund has decided to support this programme, as it will mean we can build on existing foundations and work to improve services in the Midlands. People with diabetes often know what needs to change in healthcare and this project will help them to drive those changes by working with local commissioners.

“We are looking forward to recruiting and working with an extraordinary set of volunteers and helping them develop into change agents in their local health services.”

Minister for Care and Support Norman Lamb said: “These projects play a crucial role in supporting people, their families and carers. They are examples of just some of the excellent and innovative work going on throughout the country in the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector – all of which help to create and support strong and resilient communities.”