Lipodystrophy and other severe insulin resistance (SIR) syndromes are rare causes of diabetes which are frequently associated with delayed diagnosis and severe metabolic disease. Diagnosis and management is complex and guidelines for management do not currently exist. The National Severe Insulin Resistance (NSIR) Service was commissioned by the National Specialist Commissioning Team for adults and children with lipodystrophy and/or SIR in England. It offers a multi-disciplinary clinic with consultants in adult and paediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology, specialist nurses and dietitians and support from the clinical genetics and obesity teams. The NSIR service uses a new model of cross-organisational working which includes the same team providing adult and paediatric management with several members of the same family often affected.

Judges comment:

“This innovative programme shows there is a clear need for it and it’s brilliant to have secured funding from NHS England. Showed extremely clear objectives and results. It had a huge impact on the niche patients involved.”

Highly commended

Diabetes Simulation Ward-Based Training – Point-of-care simulation to address serious untoward incidents – hypoglycaemia

by Royal Cornwall Hospital and Peninsula Community Health

Three Diabetes Inpatient Specialist Nurses (DISN’s) at Peninsula Community Health CIC provide in-reach diabetes inpatient services to a district general hospital in Truro. The DISN Team created a simulation-based hypoglycaemia training programme that was so successful it is now being used throughout the hospital in Cornwall. The training is undertaken using human patient simulators which simulate a patient having a severe hypoglycaemic event. The ward team has to respond to the event in real time, using the ward resources available.

Judges comment:

“Point-of-care simulation is a good and meaningful way to train especially as all team members take part in real-time and there is a de-brief afterwards. This was particularly effective as traditional training methods didn’t work.”

Commended

Diabetes e-learning platform supporting self care through facilitating staff competency www.cdep.org.uk

by CDEP team, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The Cambridge Diabetes Education Programme (CDEP), a unique online diabetes healthcare professional education resource, is increasingly recognised as a way by which different health professionals can learn and gain confidence in, diabetes care. The programme directly focuses on supporting busy healthcare practitioners, with only small snippets of time, to develop and maintain a high level of care to the patient with diabetes. Over 87% of general practices county-wide are now participating. Across the competencies, 51% to 93% of the >500 participants report improvements in competency, familiarity and/or confidence in a given topic.

Judges comment:

“This unique online education programme, provides an excellent resource to support patients with diabetes with their self-care. It has a strong focus on its target audience of healthcare students and HCPs.”

Commended

A national protocol and care plan for the management of diabetes in schools

by East of England Children and Young People’s Diabetes Network & North West Children and Young People’s Diabetes Network

Currently in the UK children and young people (CYP) with diabetes receive variable provision of care and support in the school setting. The objective of this project was to develop a comprehensive, consensus-based guideline and care plan that would inform education providers about diabetes and provide a framework for the best practice management and support of CYP in schools. This was achieved by convening a series of workshops involving a variety of stakeholders, including clinicians, patients, families, teachers, local authority and charity reps.

Judges comment:

“The entrants have developed a clever series of tools, which involve parents’ engagement and active involvement. The judges would like to hear more about the results and outcomes following the assessment taking place in November 2014.”