We lobby and brief key policy and government representatives and influential bodies across the UK. We alert them to shortcomings in diabetes care, and urge them to make the necessary improvements in the commissioning and provision of diabetes care and treatment.
Some of our recent campaign work
Launching the 4 Ts campaign to raise awareness of the four most common symptoms of Type 1 diabetes and to make sure that children and young people get a quick diagnosis and early treatment.
Working with clinicians and people with diabetes to develop the 15 healthcare essentials (a set of essential checks and services based on national health recommendations). We have now distributed over 1.5 million 15 Healthcare Essentials checklists to people with diabetes, NHS trusts and healthcare professionals. In 2012 we made the checklist available in 12 languages and produced a 'what to do next' guide for those who aren't receiving the basic level of care they're entitled to.
Launching the Putting Feet First campaign to improve foot care services for people with diabetes and to try to put an end to the thousands of preventable amputations every year.
Developing and mobilising over 1,465 Diabetes Voices to lobby MPs, commissioners and local influencers in support of our campaigns. Last year Diabetes Voices took 941 campaigning actions, which included lobbying their local hospital chief executives, setting out the benefits of integrated footcare teams. As a result 20 hospitals agreed to make changes.
Succesfully campaigning in Scotland for funding of at least £1 million to provide insulin pumps to under-18s with Type 1 diabetes, as well as tripling the amount of pumps for adults.
For more information, please see the Campaigning section of our website.