Making hospitals safe for people with diabetes
We know that too many people with diabetes feel anxious about staying in hospital. Our report 'Making hospitals safe for people with diabetes' will support hospitals to make sure every stay for someone with diabetes is as safe as possible.
I wanted to manage my own diabetes, and was allowed to. During my operation my bloods were checked often and my medication was not taken off me. I was allowed to be in control.
What is Diabetes UK doing to make sure people with diabetes are safe in hospital?
Our vision is to create a world where diabetes can do no harm. So it’s not acceptable that people with diabetes don’t feel safe in hospital. Currently one in six hospital beds is occupied by someone with diabetes and by 2030 it is predicted this will rise to one in four.
Our report 'Making hospitals safe for people with diabetes' has been created by an alliance of groups and individuals striving to improve hospital care for people with diabetes. The report has been written for diabetes inpatient teams and hospitals managers and has a set of recommendations on how a diabetes inpatient service should be set up to make sure people with diabetes receive the best care possible.
- Download the full report (PDF, 1MB)
- Download the self-assessment checklist for hospitals (PDF, 509B)
How will the report support people with diabetes in hospital?
We want to make sure everyone with diabetes in hospital gets the care they need and deserve. We know that people want to be seen by knowledgeable staff who understand their needs. We also know that people want to be able to self-manage their diabetes where appropriate and to have access to the right food at the right time. Our report outlines what needs to be in place to make sure these things happen. We will be working with hospitals to make sure they have these recommendations in place.
How can Diabetes UK support you now?
We know being in hospital can be a worrying time and we want to make sure you have all the information you need. You can download our inpatient information sheet which explains the care you should receive in hospital.
Download the Inpatient information sheet (PDF, 70KB)
How can you support us to improve hospital care for people with diabetes?
- Share the 'Making hospitals safe for people with diabetes' report with your local hospital.
- Share your story on 'Care Opinion', who pass your stories to the right people to make a difference.
- Write about your experience in hospital to inspire change or help others.
- Talk to the Patient and Public Involvement team at your hospital to have your say about how care is delivered.
- If you live in England, contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) if you are unhappy with your care.
