Calls for NHS to roll out more diabetes education for staff

Sixty per cent of Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in England do not fund specific diabetes education for their healthcare professionals, according to a new survey by Diabetes UK.

The charity is concerned that training is not in place for doctors, nurses and other professionals, especially considering that by 2025 a projected five million people in the UK will have diabetes.

Also, almost half of CCGs do not assign time for their healthcare professionals, from doctors to retinal screeners, to undertake diabetes-related education, training or development. Of the 56 per cent that do, only a quarter allow dietitians and podiatrists to take time out for diabetes education, despite these specialisms providing essential support to people with diabetes to help reduce life-changing complications such as amputation.

These statistics are backed up by a survey of 143 users of ‘Diabetes in Healthcare’, an e-learning programme developed by Diabetes UK and Bupa aimed at healthcare professionals who are not diabetes specialists. Half of respondents had received no previous diabetes training, yet, after completing the Diabetes UK and Bupa course, 80 per cent said their knowledge and understanding of the condition had increased. Crucially, the same percentage felt more confident in supporting people with diabetes.

In response to the findings from the CCG survey, Diabetes UK is keen to support both healthcare professionals and those who commission services by calling for a national competency framework to be implemented. This would provide clear guidance for the NHS, from GP practices to large hospitals, to help identify which staff should receive diabetes training and how and when training should be provided. The framework will ensure that all healthcare professionals can demonstrate an appropriate level of care for people with diabetes.

At the moment, every five years licensed doctors practising medicine in the UK have to demonstrate that they are fit to practice and their knowledge and skills are up to date. This revalidation process will soon be a three-yearly requirement for practising nurses. Individual healthcare professionals are also responsible for their own generic ongoing education known as Continual Professional Development.

Yet for non-diabetes specialists, such as those working in primary care, general ward staff or nursing staff in residential care homes, the current system does not provide training or assess skills in the specific area of diabetes.

Simon O’Neill, Director of Health Intelligence and Professional Liaison at Diabetes UK, said:  “We have significant concerns that care is being provided to people with diabetes by staff who may not have an adequate level of knowledge about this complex condition. 

We have significant concerns that care is being provided to people with diabetes by staff who may not have an adequate level of knowledge

“Diabetes already costs the NHS an incredible amount of money – around £10 billion a year – but money should be invested more wisely, beginning with ensuring that healthcare staff who treat people with diabetes have the right training and skills. The importance of healthcare professionals having knowledge of diabetes is why we and Bupa developed the Diabetes in Healthcare programme.

“While we appreciate that some CCGs are setting examples of good practice in diabetes training provision, the current revalidation process does not go far enough in identifying or improving these skills which is why we want to see a national diabetes competency framework. This could not only mean better outcomes for people living with this condition but could save money in the long-term as it will help staff understand the need for early intervention and how to prevent complications caused by diabetes.”

Paula Franklin, UK Medical Director, Bupa, said: “We’ve developed the ‘Diabetes in Healthcare’ programme in partnership with Diabetes UK as we recognise the challenges that diabetes presents across the health care community including doctors and nurses.Yet this challenge must be met in order for the 3.8 million people living with diabetes in the UK to receive appropriate care that reduces their risk of developing devastating complications associated with the condition such as amputation, blindness and stroke. This is why we are continually reviewing our training provisions across Bupa UK to ensure all our healthcare professionals have access to appropriate training.”

Diabetes UK and Bupa are also encouraging CCGs to recommend ‘Type 2 Diabetes and Me’, another free online e-learning programme to their patients, in addition to offering them structured education courses. Also developed in partnership between the pair, the programme helps people with Type 2 diabetes learn how best to manage their condition so they can lead healthy, active lives.

The e-learning programmes can be accessed for free at www.diabetesinhealthcare.co.uk or www.type2diabetesandme.co.uk.