WINNER
The National Diabetes COVID-19 Response Group Collaborative
By The National Diabetes COVID-19 Response Group
The COVID-19 pandemic meant many diabetes staff were redeployed to support general inpatient care. Information from London and Italy suggested people with diabetes and COVID-19 infection had poorer outcomes, and that the infection might trigger new onset diabetes. In response, the National Diabetes Inpatient COVID-19 Response Group was convened in the last week of March 2020. Its purpose was to maintain consistent support for people with diabetes and provide COVID-specific guidance for specialists and non-specialists. Specialists in diabetes, pharmacy and psychology, from all four UK nations, met weekly, or more often, to create a series of pragmatic guidance documents.
Judges' comments:
"The initiative from The National Diabetes COVID-19 Response Group provoked an emotional response from the judges and they felt very proud that this work had taken place within the diabetes community. This was an outstanding initiative directly supporting front-line healthcare professionals during an incredibly challenging time for services. The documents generated will have been (and still are) used in every hospital site in the country. Amazing work, fabulous team."