Diabetes education essential

Posted on 23 March 2015

Department of Health Sciences’ lecturer Carole Gelder has been involved in a year-long investigation into the state of diabetes education, learning and support in the UK.

An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Diabetes collected evidence from healthcare professionals, academics, commissioners and providers of education courses and programmes to better understand different types of learning and support available, existing gaps in service and to identify reasons for low uptake when structured education is offered.

The evidence collected was written into a report which will be submitted to the Department for Health and disseminated among Clinical Commissioning Groups. The APPG launched the report on 4 March 2015 in the House of Commons.

One of the findings showed that supported self-management was the key to the successful day-to-day management of diabetes and can significantly improve lives and reduce long-term costs associated with the condition. However, less than two percent of people with diabetes are recorded as having attended any form of structured education.

Carole said: "This report highlights the importance of structured education generally but also recognises that intensive age appropriate education for children, young people and their families is an essential component of routine management."

For more information log on to: http://www.diabetes.org.uk/Professionals/News--updates/Report-on-structured-education-to-launch-in-Parliament-/