MP opens Leicester’s new diabetes outpatient department

Diabetes campaigner and MP Keith Vaz has officially opened a diabetes outpatient centre at a Leicester hospital.

The new department at Leicester General Hospital brings together diabetes outpatient clinics held at Leicester Royal Infirmary and two locations at the General, including temporary buildings.

Mr Vaz said: “This unit will save lives. I am honoured to be asked to open it. By having dedicated diabetes services such as this one, we can treat the condition more effectively and help people manage all aspects of their diabetes in one location. As a diabetic, I and others will be very happy to have our care managed under one roof.

“There are 3.3 million people living with diabetes in the UK today and an estimated 50,000 in Leicester. I am so pleased to see Leicester leading the way in tackling this condition.”

Located on a renovated and refurbished Ward 4 – which is beneath the Leicester Diabetes Centre at the General – the new centre hopes to strengthen links with the centre of excellence on clinical research while delivering specialist diabetes services.

Dr Ian Lawrence, Head of Service for Diabetes at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “We are really excited about the new department. It unites our services at the General and the Royal, and is close to Leicester Diabetes Centre too. 

By offering a more cohesive service we look forward to offering our patients the best possible experience

“By offering a more cohesive service we look forward to offering our patients the best possible experience. There is improved access compared to the Royal, which is particularly beneficial for patients with foot problems, and we continue to provide comprehensive care for people with Type 1 Diabetes.

This includes the largest structured education programme (DAFNE) in the UK, and an insulin pump service supporting around 300 people on insulin pumps.

The transfer of diabetes outpatient clinics from the Royal to the General is one of a number of service moves taking place at Leicester’s Hospitals.

The Diabetes Ante-Natal Clinic continues in the Kensington Building at the Royal as before while the weekly Diabetes Out-Patient Clinic at Glenfield Hospital also remains unchanged.