South East diabetes education to be ‘certified’ for quality

Locally developed diabetes structured education programmes in the South East area are being certified by a regional NHS network in a bid to raise standards.

Independent assessors are quality assuring 15 courses for people with diabetes across Kent, Surrey and Sussex to ensure they meet NICE criteria, with advice given to support any gaps.

The project is part of the work being carried out by the diabetes arm of the South East Cardiovascular Strategic Clinical Network.

They are focussing on three priorities – footcare, patient empowerment and integrated diabetes care – which have been designated by a clinical advisory group made up of a host of stakeholders, including people with diabetes.

Dr David Lipscomb, the network’s diabetes clinical lead and also a diabetes consultant at East Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, said: “I started in the role 18 month ago and from day one we decided it was wise to focus on trying to improve certain areas to ensure we could really make a difference to people with diabetes.

“The quality assurance of the locally developed structured diabetes education programmes in our patch is part of our commitment to enhancing patient empowerment.”

Abigail Kitt, the network’s diabetes programme manager, said there had been a “battle of hearts and minds” about the new network at the beginning but NHS colleagues have “bought into the regional leadership we are providing”.

As well as the education review, the network has carried out an audit of footcare with a follow up due next month and produced a paper of what good footcare looks like. They have also been lobbying for diabetes footcare to be given a higher priority locally.

The network has staged a number of events, including a session to dispel myths around care planning. The region’s 21 Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) were also set a challenge to demonstrate diabetes integrated care at another event aimed at sharing best practice. Nine of the CCGs then agreed to pilot a national service specification in a bid to achieve seamless diabetes care between primary and secondary care.

For more information about the network, click here.