Inconsistencies affecting care for diabetes patients

Researchers have claimed there are inconsistencies in the care of type 1 diabetes patients in Yorkshire and the Humber, and that both young people and parents were receiving conflicting information when attending clinics and wards.
The three-year study, by a team from Leeds Metropolitan University and funded by NHS Diabetes, examined children and young people with type 1 diabetes who were being treated at one of nine healthcare trusts in the region.
Called “Join Us On Our Journey”, the study assessed data from patients, families and healthcare professionals, showing discrepancies between and within type 1 diabetes services with all sites having different ways of managing their patients.
The researchers were looking to build a model of care for helping to improve the management of children and young people with type 1 diabetes across England, and recommended a more holistic approach to diabetes care in general. Study leader Nicky Kime said “One of the key things that came out of the research was that children and young people with type 1 diabetes need to be better informed about the transition process.”
He added “Our research found that some people weren’t even aware that they were in transitio, or what it meant. Being in transition can be a confusing time for young people and the care, support and information they receive about the transition process is vital.”