Face-to-face diabetes education programmes have returned in north Cumbria – the first in the country to do so.
National education programme DESMOND (Diabetes Education and Self-Management for Ongoing and Newly Diagnosed) has used the North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust’s education session Focus on north Cumbria as a case study to share the good practice on maintaining a COVID-secure environment.
As per Government guidelines, all face-to-face diabetes education programmes in the country were stood down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During this time the team continued to support people virtually but were also the first trust in the country to return to face-to-face programmes in England.
The trust now hopes to offer patients a more flexible approach via a virtual platform on evenings and weekends, allowing patients to take part from the comfort of their own home.
It has also employed five new educators, including Zak Turnbull.
She said: “My role is to co-ordinate patient education referrals and arrange sessions to ensure patients have all the knowledge and support required to help manage and cope with their condition.
“I feel there should be more education given on diabetes and the consequences of the condition if not managed appropriately, both prior to and after diagnosis.
“My Mum was a diabetic, she sadly passed away and the cause was partly down to the damage that diabetes had done to her body. Each one of us can make a difference, but together we can make a change.”
People can be referred to the service by their GP.
