Makeup of leading type 1 specialist services revealed
Dedicated pump clinics and an emphasis on structured education help contribute to successful type 1 diabetes specialist services, according to a report published by the National Diabetes Audit (NDA).
The NDA has released the short summary report Feedback from the most successful Type 1 specialist services, revealing the factors behind the top performing centres.
The 2016-17 NDA specialist service report showed that for people with type 1 diabetes an HbA1c 58mmol/mol (7.5%) was achieved by 20% in some services but up to 40% in others.
Specialist services with more than 500 people with type 1 diabetes and the highest HbA1c target achievement rates were asked in May and June 2018 to identify factors they believed contributed to their success.
Dr Bob Young, a Consultant Diabetologist and Clinical Lead for the audit, said: “Responses were received from two thirds of the specialist type 1 services with the greatest proportion of patients achieving HbA1c<58mmol/mol. They identified a number of themes that they believe contribute to their relative success. These have been re-circulated to check accuracy. It is hoped that they will now be widely distributed.”
All responding services mentioned:
- Commitment to type 1 care
- Desire to do better
- Dedicated pump clinics
- Importance of structured education
At least 50% of responding services mentioned:
- Type 1 service DSN training and rotation
- Dedicated medical staff for type 1 care
- Psychology service availability
- Integration with community services
- MDT working style
- Advice or support available via phone, email, Skype
- CGMS and, or, Diasend
Dr Young added: “It would be good to reduce the wide disparities between services. We hope that this feedback may be helpful to all specialist type 1 services.”
The DNA is one of the largest annual clinical audits in the world, integrating data from both primary and secondary care sources, making it the most comprehensive audit of its kind. It provides a comprehensive view of diabetes care in England and Wales and measures the effectiveness of diabetes healthcare against NICE Clinical Guidelines and NICE Quality Standards, in England and Wales.
To access the type 1 specialist services feedback document, click here.