X-PERT Health joins Spirit Health to strengthen diabetes education across the UK
Established provider of structured diabetes education X-PERT Health has joined Spirit Health Group.
The move brings X-PERT alongside Spirit’s EMPOWER programme, with both continuing to offer people living with diabetes practical support to manage their health and live well.
Founded by Dr Trudi Deakin, X-PERT Health has built a strong reputation for helping people understand their diabetes and make lasting changes to their health. Its programmes and experienced educator network will complement the work Spirit already delivers through EMPOWER.
After many years leading X-PERT Health, Trudi has decided to step away from the organisation to focus on her health. Finding a home where X-PERT could continue to thrive was important to her, and Spirit is proud to take that work forward.
The X-PERT team will continue as part of Spirit Health, providing continuity for educators, commissioners and the people who use its programmes.
X-PERT and EMPOWER will remain distinct programmes. Together, they will give NHS commissioners and other organisations more flexibility to choose the education that best meets the needs of their local populations, whether through one programme or a combination of both.
For existing X-PERT and EMPOWER customers, programme delivery will continue as before. Spirit Health will build on the strengths of both programmes, with the shared ambition of helping more people access structured diabetes education and giving them the support they need to better understand and manage their condition.
The focus remains on great education, delivered brilliantly, that helps people take more control of their health.
Dr Trudi Deakin, Founder of X-PERT Health, said: “Stepping away has been one of the hardest decisions I have ever made. But my health has forced me to reassess my priorities and recognise that, after spending so many years looking after X-PERT and helping others to improve their health, it is now time for me to look after myself.
It was incredibly important to me that X-PERT could continue. Joining Spirit Health makes that possible. X-PERT can now build on everything we have created together and reach even more people.
So, although I am stepping away, I am looking forward to X-PERT continuing with its next chapter.”
Chris Barker, CEO of Spirit Health, said: “Trudi and the X-PERT team have built something really special. We’re delighted to welcome them to Spirit and to have the chance to build on the work they’ve done over so many years.
“We’ve always believed that helping people understand and manage their own health can make a real difference. That belief runs through X-PERT as much as it does through EMPOWER.
“Both programmes have their own strengths, and we want to keep them. Bringing the teams together gives us more ways to help NHS services deliver education that works for their patients, and more opportunities to reach people who might otherwise miss out.
“I know how much X-PERT means to Trudi. We’re grateful for the trust she has placed in Spirit, and we’re looking forward to working with the team on what comes next.”
Find out more about X-PERT Health and its programmes: https://www.xperthealth.org.uk/about/