Diabetes consultant celebrates time in national role

A leading diabetes consultant reflects on his eight years as the National Specialty Advisor for Diabetes for NHS England in the latest online Big Interview.

Professor Partha Kar, Consultant in Diabetes and Endocrinology at Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust, spoke about his achievements in type 1 diabetes technology. Professor Kar stepped down from the role in March 2024.

Reflecting on his time in the role, he said: “Things I am proud of include Language Matters and the GIRFT Diabetes report which tackled the variation about inpatient safety and foot care.

“The third one I’d say would be peer support. I think a big part for me was always trying to give people with type 1 diabetes a voice and I feel I have done that.”

Over the last eight years, Professor Kar has been involved in some of the biggest diabetes transformations in the NHS.

When announcing his departure, Professor Kar said on Twitter: “FINALLY time to end the role in diabetes policy-shaping. What a ride. Worry NOT type 1 diabetes peeps, I stay as Type 1 Diabetes Tech Lead, got closed loops to do.”

In the future, Professor Kar is hoping to give back to India – the country he is originally from. He said: “In the next five years I might drift towards that.”

Watch this space for more Big Interviews with experts in the field of diabetes.