WINNER
Blood Glucose Monitoring – A Collaborative Approach to Updating the Formulary
by NHS Birmingham and Solihull CCG and Partners
Rising spending on blood glucose meters and testing strips in Birmingham, Solihull, Sandwell and Environs (BSSE) required action. The local Diabetes Medicines Management Advisory Group (DMMAG) reviewed all glucose/ketone monitors, needles and lancets, and also made self-monitoring recommendations. In six months 170 products had been considered and new guidelines had been prepared. Subsequent implementation enabled a quick change in practice. The combined potential saving on blood ketone and glucose strips for Birmingham and Solihull CCG for 2018/19 is £661,478 meaning that the NHS budget can be used wisely and reinvested.
Judges’ comments:
“The judges were so impressed with the team’s collaborative approach that they believe this submission should be used as a gold standard in this category. The time frame for the work was brave and the project was executed brilliantly. While the judges understand that the project isn’t a new approach, they would like to commend the phenomenal amount of work that was undertaken in order to make this project a success. The judges particularly enjoyed that the team also thought about younger patients.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Tomorrow’s Leaders: Developing Agents of Change in Diabetes Care
by Diabetes UK
Diabetes UK created the Tomorrow’s Leaders (TL) programme to give Diabetes Specialist Nurses (DSNs) and dietitians skills and confidence to lead improvements in diabetes care. The programme supports the development of leadership skills, and also boosts confidence and motivation of DSNs develop and deliver high quality diabetes care.
Feedback from participants has indicated better leadership, more cohesive team working and improved engagement within multidisciplinary teams, leading to better services. Several participants have progressed to other leadership roles within their team or local area.
Judges’ comments:
“This was a truly great initiative. Diabetes UK delivered what it set out to do all the while advancing the project’s agenda. The judges were particularly impressed with how well thought out the programme was, specifically with the follow-up course to further bolster motivation. It was beyond inspiring.”
