Diabetes UK is looking for healthcare professionals from Northern Ireland to lead improvements in diabetes care. The charity is searching for consultants, nurses, GPs, dietitians, podiatrists, pharmacists and psychologists to take part in its Clinical Champions programme.
The award-winning initiative launched in 2014, in partnership with Novo Nordisk, to address the significant variation in patient care and treatment for people living with diabetes in the UK.
Since the Clinical Champions programme began, 65 clinicians have been recruited to develop their leadership skills and become champions for improving diabetes care. Between them they have trained thousands of other healthcare professionals, developed innovative new clinics, reduced medication errors and increased the number of people getting treatment for diabetes.
The new champions will be selected based on their leadership potential, clinical expertise and a demonstrable passion for transforming care for people with diabetes. They will be supported with two years of training alongside their clinical work, to help them become strong leaders, identify improvements and drive vital change in diabetes services in their local areas.
Jillian Patchett, National Director of Diabetes UK Northern Ireland, said:
“Diabetes is the most devastating and fastest growing health crisis of our time, affecting 4.5 million people. That’s more than any other serious health condition in the UK. We know that there are over 100,000 people living with the condition in Northern Ireland. When diabetes is not well managed, it is associated with serious complications including heart disease, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputations leading to disability and premature mortality.
“Clinical Champions help transform diabetes care, which in turn reduces the risk of devastating complications, and makes a significant difference to the lives of people with diabetes.”
For more information or to apply to become a Clinical Champion for 2018-2020, please email clinicalchampions@diabetes.org.uk or call 020 7424 1896.
