Diabetes chief visits local health services

The National Clinical Director for Diabetes has toured Cambridgeshire to see the progress of a new care programme.

Dr Rowan Hillson MBE was invited to see the results of a link between Addenbrooke’s Hospital and Cambridgeshire Community Services. The East Cambs and Fenland Diabetes Integrated Care Initiative sees clinicians from both organisations working closer to where patients live. The itinerary included a new clinic at Ely’s Princess of Wales Hospital.

Professor David Simmons, Lead Community Diabetologist at Addenbrooke's said: "We have a common purpose to help people with diabetes to improve their day-to-day living and reduce the terrible harm that diabetes can cause – the response from health professionals across the area has been inspiring. We see the East Cambs and Fenland Diabetes Integrated Care Initiative as a way to bring together not only those in primary and secondary care, but community, social and mental health services around the needs of the person with diabetes.”

Dr Hillson’s visit, on Thursday 2 July, took in the Princess of Wales Hospital, Manea General Practice and diabetes services on the Addenbrooke’s site - the Institute of Metabolic Science, the Wolfson Diabetes and Endocrine Clinic, the Weston Diabetes Clinic and Medical Research Council and University of Cambridge facilities.

Dr Hillson said: “I believe that everyone with diabetes deserves the highest standard of care. I was delighted to be invited to visit this exciting project and to meet so many enthusiasts for good care. Integrated care, where people with diabetes and the specialist, secondary, community and primary care teams work closely and efficiently together, is one of our national goals for diabetes. This project is a good example.”

Helen Hollern, Diabetes Specialist Nurse Facilitator, Cambridgeshire Community Services said: "The Integrated Specialist Diabetes Clinic based at the Princess of Wales reflects the leading edge work taking place in Cambridgeshire between clinicians from Addenbrooke's and Cambridgeshire Community Services to provide accessible services for people living with diabetes. The introduction of modern technology enables computer links between the two hospitals which ensures speedy access to medical records and also enables us to provide retinal photography as part of the national diabetes eye screening programme. Patient feedback on the service has been incredibly positive.”

There are more than 20,000 people aged 17 and over on GP practice diabetes registers across Cambridgeshire.

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