DSN Spotlight – Tracy Courtney

The role of the diabetes specialist nurse is hugely important in ensuring high-quality diabetes care. Our DSN Spotlight series celebrates this great position and also aims to find out more about those who are making a difference to people with diabetes every day.

Name: Tracy Courtney 

Job title: Diabetes Inpatient Specialist Nurse 

Trust: Royal Devon & Exeter Foundation Hospital

Time in position: 5.5 years

What’s your biggest challenge in diabetes today?

With the increasing number of patients with diabetes staff nurses on wards have a some lack of understanding of long term complications for the patient. They are often busy and do not realise the implications of omitting insulin or timing of oral medications, due to staffing and time constraints.

What’s been your biggest achievement in diabetes care? 

Prompt response due to an easy referral system. Education sessions with staff, ThinkGlucose education, teaching all the staff to use Autoshields, and implementing and educating the Ipswich Touch Test.

What would you like to see change in diabetes?

Community education on the importance of good diabetes control and healthy eating for all type 2 people. The interface between primary care and secondary care.

What’s been the biggest development in the last 10 years?

General public awareness of diabetes. Insulin devices used to deliver insulin.

What is the best way to achieve good health outcomes with your patients?

Building relationships from an early diagnosis improves outcomes.