“Getting involved has enabled me to be a part of healthcare and not just be a recipient of it.”
Get involved in the health service and make it work better for diabetes
No matter where you live or what previous experience you have, as someone affected by or passionate about diabetes, you are perfectly qualified to get involved in the health service and make sure diabetes is a priority in your area.
In our survey, 96 per cent of Diabetes Voices involved in the NHS felt they had been listened to, with more than two-thirds saying their involvement in the NHS led to positive change. You can make a difference, and we are here to help you get started.
How to Get Involved
If you haven’t already, your best first step is to join Diabetes Voices. Then we can let you know straightaway whenever there’s an opportunity to make a difference in your area.
The way the health service works is a bit different in each part of the UK, so if you live in Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland, you should check on the relevant Diabetes UK national page to find out what you can do in your area.
Join a Patient Participation Group (PPG)
Many GP practices across the UK now run Patient Participation Groups (PPGs), where people using the practice can have their say about how the practice is run. In England all GP practices must have a PPG.
How to join: Just ask at your local GP practice, and let us know once you've joined. We can offer you support in raising diabetes issues within your PPG.
You can find out more about PPGs on the National Association for Patient Participation (NAPP) website.
Read how Diabetes Voice Bruce transformed diabetes care in his area working with his PPG.
Join your local Healthwatch
- In England, local Healthwatch groups work to make sure the voice of people using the health service is heard by decision makers. Local Healthwatch groups may also decide to run events or campaigns to raise awareness of particular health care issues, such as diabetes. In England, local Healthwatch groups work to make sure the voice of people using the health service is heard by decision makers. Local Healthwatch groups may also decide to run events or campaigns to raise awareness of particular health care issues, such as diabetes.
Read about the work Diabetes Voice Dolly did with Slough Healthwatch.
Ask your local NHS how you can help
Your local NHS will should have a number of ways you can get involved in your area. Check their website for more details.
Your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be responsible for healthcare in your area. Use this NHS England tool to find the details of your local healthcare authority.
Your local Health and Social Care Trust is responsible for healthcare in your area. Use this Health and Social Care in Northern Ireland map to find the name of your local healthcare authority.
Your Local Health Board (LHB) is responsible for healthcare in your area. Use this NHS Wales map to find your local healthcare authority.
Your Health Board is responsible for healthcare in your area. Use this NHS Inform tool to find your local healthcare authority.
Join a Diabetes UK local group
Many Diabetes UK local groups build close links with local healthcare authorities who are keen to use their local knowledge to help improve care.
How to join: You can find your nearest Diabetes UK local group using our local group finder tool.
