WINNER
Collaboration with IAPT to Improve Diabetes Pathways – Simple Innovation!
by North East Essex Diabetes Service (NEEDS) / Suffolk GP Federation
The association between diabetes and mental health is well recognised, both widely referenced in the literature, and witnessed first-hand by clinicians in their day-to-day working. North East Essex (NEE) collaborated with the local ‘Health in Mind’/‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’ (IAPT) team to improve access, care and outcomes for those living with diabetes in the region. Initially IAPT therapists were invited to diabetes patient education events but this led to development of new clinics, a specific diabetes/well-being course and much more. The main outcomes were improved access, improved psychological well-being scores and better diabetes self-management.
Judges’ comments:
“The NEEDS entry is a fantastic idea and really needed. The judges could see that it could quite easily be transferred. It is a simple solution with huge benefits and is a great collaborative piece of work. A brilliant example of integrated care.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Talking Type 1 – Making Diabetes Psychology Accessible for Everyone
by Talking Type 1 (All Wales Diabetes Improvement Group)
Talking Type 1 Diabetes Burnout is the first guided self-help resource for people who live with type 1 diabetes and have diabetes-specific psychological issues. It was co-produced by a diabetes specialist clinical psychologist and people living with type 1 diabetes around the world. It is available free to patients in Wales with type 1 diabetes. Feedback from diabetes staff has been positive, and there has been significant interest and demand from both services and people living with type 1 diabetes outside Wales. Talking Type 1 Diabetes Burnout aims to meet significant unmet psychological need and lack of adequate staffing.
Judges’ comments:
“Talking Type 1 is an innovative and novel approach and is something that is really needed. It fills a gap within psychological support and had a good range of feedback from different users. It clearly demonstrated the impact of the project.”
