We have appointed twenty healthcare professionals, including consultants, nurses, GPs, dietitians, podiatrists, pharmacists and psychologists as our newest cohort of Clinical Champions.
The award-winning Clinical Champions programme supports healthcare professionals to become strong local leaders, working to address the significant variation in patient care and treatment for people living with diabetes across the UK.
The newest intake of Champions have been selected based on their skills, clinical expertise and a demonstrable passion for transforming care for people with diabetes. They will be supported by the charity with two years of training alongside their clinical work, to help them identify improvements and drive vital change in diabetes services in their local areas.
The Clinical Champions programme was launched by Diabetes UK in 2014, in partnership with Novo Nordisk. There are now 85 Clinical Champions across the UK, with access to a network of like-minded clinicians, with whom they can work through issues, share ideas and best practice, and challenge each other in a supportive environment.
Amy Rylance, Head of Health Engagement and Development at Diabetes UK, said:
“Diabetes is the fastest growing health crisis of our time − if nothing changes, more than five million people will have diabetes in the UK by 2025.
“We know that investment in better diabetes care brings both human and economic benefits, by reducing the devastating and costly health complications, such as blindness and amputations, which can develop as a result of the condition being poorly managed.
"That’s why our Clinical Champions are so important. They play a critical role in leading improvements to the care people living with diabetes receive, and contribute enormously to our aim of creating a world where diabetes can do no harm.”
Adam Burt, Director of Market Access and Public Affairs at Novo Nordisk UK, said:
“It is wonderful to be working with Diabetes UK on this ambitious initiative aimed at empowering a growing network of Clinical Champions. These are inspiring individuals who wish to become advocates for change and quality improvement in diabetes services across the NHS. In the current environment, this is no easy task and Novo Nordisk is passionate about enabling leaders who wish to drive the quality of care patients living with diabetes need and deserve.”
If you are interested in becoming a Diabetes UK Clinical Champion for the 2019-2021 intake please contact clinicalchampions@diabetes.org.uk or call 020 7424 1892. This is a Diabetes UK project in collaboration with Novo Nordisk who are providing support and funding.
For further media information please contact insert name on insert phone number or Diabetes UK’s media relations team on 020 7424 1165 or email pressteam@diabetes.org.uk. For urgent out of hours media enquiries only please call 077 111 76028.
