Wales network launches to improve care for children and young people with diabetes
Originally published Wednesday 23rd September 2015
A clinical network linking hospitals across Wales will help to improve care for children and young people who have been diagnosed with diabetes.
The Children and Young People’s Wales Diabetes Network (and Brecon Group) launched on Wednesday 23 September. It will play a key role in ensuring the implementation of the Welsh Government’s diabetes delivery plan.
Dr Chris Bidder, a paediatric consultant in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, and the clinical lead for the network, believes the network will enable staff to offer even better care. “We know that in Wales we have committed teams working with children, young people and their families, supporting them to manage their diabetes and prevent some of the serious effects of the condition.”
“In the last few years all children’s diabetes clinics have taken part in the National Paediatric Diabetes Audit, with some units doing exceptionally well. However, the audit and our quality assurance programme have both shown areas where we can improve the services we offer.”
There are approximately 1,500 children with diabetes in Wales. 96 per cent of these children have Type 1 diabetes – an auto-immune condition that is not caused by lifestyle factors. Treatment consists of healthy eating, plenty of exercise and insulin given either by multiple daily injections or an insulin pump.
“The better we can help young people achieve glucose control, the more we can offset the complications of diabetes,” says Dr Chris Bidder. “This is why investing in and improving paediatric services is so important – we can help children enjoy the best possible quality of life when young and support them to become healthy adults who are at reduced risk of harm from complications of diabetes.”
“The network has a number of clear priorities in the immediate future. We want to establish a national telephone advice service providing 24/7 expert advice to families if acute problems arise. We are looking at ways to engage with schools to ensure children and young people get the help they need to manage their diabetes through the day. We also want to improve the transition from children’s services to adult services.”
“An educational programme for children and young people with diabetes is due to be piloted by health board teams from the beginning of October. This will help children and young people gain a better understanding of their condition and discover how best to manage their diabetes in daily life.”
The Children and Young People’s Wales Diabetes Network (and Brecon Group) was launched at a Transition Study Day organised with Diabetes UK Cymru.
Dai Williams, Director for Diabetes UK Cymru, welcomes the establishment of the network: “We have heard positive stories from many families about the care they have received in diabetes units,” says Dai Williams, “but there is also scope for improvement. We are delighted to be supporting the network and working with the clinical teams to help them deliver even better care.”
“Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong condition and we recognise that the sooner people are helped to manage it, the better their lives will be. Supporting children and young people to successfully manage their diabetes will help to set them on the right path for life.”
The new network will also include parents and representatives of third sector organisations, alongside clinical representatives. It is being supported by the Welsh Government and is a fulfilment of an aim of the diabetes delivery plan.
“This is an exciting step for improving diabetes care for children and young people in Wales,” says Dr Chris Bidder. “The new network will give us a national approach to address many of the shared problems faced by all diabetes teams. We want to reach a point where children and young people receive consistently excellent care, wherever they live in Wales.”
“Ultimately we want to give children and young people the best chance of fulfilling their potential and living long, healthy lives.”