Empowering People with Diabetes – Adults

WINNER

An educational resource for women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus

by Queen’s University Belfast; Belfast Health and Social Care Trust; South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust; Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust Foundation

Around 5% of UK pregnancies are diagnosed with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), which is associated with increased perinatal morbidity and a seven-fold risk of developing type 2 diabetes in later life. ‘GDM: Things you need to know, but maybe don’t!’ aims to improve the patient experience of women diagnosed with GDM. Originally produced as a DVD in four languages (English, Urdu, Arabic and Somali) and later converted to a website, it was evaluated in a randomised controlled trial among 150 multi-ethnic women with newly diagnosed GDM. It is now used routinely in patient education.

Judges comment:

"The judges loved the principle of this entry and that it truly empowered patients and their families by aiding them in asking the right questions to gain valuable answers. The translation into four languages was impressive, particularly considering the cost of translators for a project that was provided free-of-charge. Well-conceived and delivered, it had great impact and the judges would put it straight into practice in their areas."

HIGHLY COMMENDED

ACT Now! Guided self-help for adults with Type 2 diabetes to improve self-management and emotional wellbeing

by NHS Grampian

The team developed a brief, guided self-help programme to improve glycaemic control and alleviate anxiety and depression in people struggling to manage Type 2 diabetes. ACT Now! consists of between 5-8 appointments, a participant manual and web-based support. Results showed improvement in all areas for participants, including glycaemic control, and lower anxiety and depression levels.

Judges comment:

"Novel and impactful, this programme is an empowering extra offer for the diabetes community. Patient input in its design was included from the get go, which is highly impressive and clearly shows the patient-centric focus of the project. A very well-designed study with good outcome measurements and great potential."

COMMENDED

Structured group education for people with new onset Type 2 diabetes

by Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust

Structured education in diabetes has been delivered for more than thirty years in Dorset in collaboration between three local NHS Trusts and serves 66 GP surgeries across nine Dorset localities. It is delivered as part of the patients’ treatment pathway, blending with care from their GP, rather than a stand-alone education programme. After patients are diagnosed in primary care, they are then offered open access to the programme at the venue of their choice.

Judges comment:

"A very successful programme, where the innovation was in the fantastic programme completion results. Good design and integration of existing services with impressive data and evaluation."

COMMENDED

The feasibility of delivering a physical activity intervention for adults within routine diabetes care

by NHS Grampian

Physical activity consultation is effective in promoting physical activity levels for adults with diabetes within research settings – but few interventions have been implemented in routine care. NHS Grampian delivered a 12-month intervention for adults with diabetes, observing significant improvements in physical activity levels, BMI and aspects of psychological wellbeing. The low-cost intervention proved to be a useful method of supporting people with diabetes and multiple co-morbidities.

Judges comment:

"The judges really liked the evidence-based focus of this entry, which presented good measurable outcomes and sustainable costing. Well-written and interesting, the physical aspect of the programme was both attractive and highly motivational."

FINALIST

Continued success and evolution of BERTIE; Bournemouth’s Type 1 education programme

by Bournemouth Diabetes & Endocrine Centre, Royal Bournemouth & Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The BERTIE structured education programme was started in 1999 and helps people with type 1 diabetes to learn the knowledge and skills necessary for optimal self-care. As a result of continued monitoring of the programme, it has evolved to reflect the needs of patients and improve their outcomes. It has shown sustained biomedical improvement over five years, reduction in emotional distress and reduction in hypoglycaemia and hypoglycaemia awareness. Patients also achieve their self-management goals.

Judges comment:

"The BERTIE programme ticks all boxes of the empowerment criteria. The substance is good, as is the evaluation and ongoing refining of the project, plus the significant replication is impressive."