National Network

The National Paediatric Diabetes Audit (NPDA) has published its latest report into parent and patient reported experience measures. Based on a survey of children and young people with diabetes and their parents and carers between 2 August 2021 and 2 January 2022, the report looks at their experience as they interact with the NHS through attending Paediatric Diabetes Units (PDUs) providing care.

Overall, 4,177 children and young people and 6,789 parents and carers attending paediatric diabetes services in England and Wales completed a Patient Reported Experience Measure (PREM) survey in 2021, when 31,615 children and young people were receiving care from paediatric diabetes services. Key findings include:

• 82.5% of children and young people and 88.7% of parents and carers reported that they always had a positive relationship with their diabetes team. In 2019 similar percentages were found: 79.9% of children and young people and 90% of parents and carers.
• At each visit, 82.3% of parents and carers reported that they could see a diabetes specialist doctor, 83.7% could see a paediatric diabetes, 41.1% could see a dietitian, and 11.4% could see a psychologist. Percentages were smaller for each staffing group compared with 2019.
• 72.3% of children and young people and 71.9% of parents and carers agreed that their diabetes team always gave them enough information to effectively manage their/their child’s diabetes at school/college, down from 74.1% and 75.2% respectively in 2019.

The report also found that less than two thirds of parents and carers (64.2%) and children and young people (62.3%) agreed that their diabetes team were providing them with the information and support needed to prepare for transfer to adult care. These results are similar to those reported in 2019 (64% of parents and carers and 58.2% of children and young people). As such, the report goes on the recommend that Paediatric Diabetes Teams should prepare young people and their families for their transition from paediatric to adult services, with transition discussions starting in advance of the process to ensure that young people with diabetes and their families know what to expect.

National Paediatric Diabetes Audit Report: Parent and patient reported experience measures