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At what point do you call time on a project? An initiative, an intervention, a campaign...whatever you want to call it...at what point do you say...umm..maybe we should try something else? I am talking about leadership courses, classes, degrees or conferences etc. I have never been a big fan of them but have always been willing to see its input and outcomes. The problem is what do you define as outcomes? If you talk financially, then on one hand you could say it's an abject failure – but then again, would you call Tony Pulis a failure if he doesn't win the League at West Brom - or would you say he's done a great job with the resources he has? Tough, isn't it?

Outcomes? Well, if one looks at something closer – let's say diabetes - have our leaders failed us, have they failed the patients or have they done as much as they could have done?

I will put my hand up, I haven't done many leadership courses and have been roundly mocked by some senior leaders for saying so. Maybe that's why I have yet to put "leader" on my CV – but either way, be it by design or fault, I haven't done any. I learnt more about leadership (ability to negotiate, complete tasks etc) by doing research. That's not to denigrate anyone who does it – but simply to state what I haven't done.

So back to the question – do we call time on leadership courses? Some say they are quangos feeding off the public purse, some say they are building generation next. The question is, in cash-strapped times, should they be funded by public money? Has it had enough of a run or is it time to mothball this project?

A very notable personality once upon a time used me as an example to differentiate between a rebel and a troublemaker. You know that chap – Gandhi – a right troublemaker for the British Raj – today's quintessential rebel leader – funny how history changes its views on individuals, isn't it? What about leadership based on values- its all about perspective of values, isn't it? To read more, click here. 

Submissions for this year’s prestigious Quality in Diabetes Care (QiC) awards have opened.

The announcement was made during the Diabetes UK Professional Conference in Glasgow where several winners from last year talked about their initiatives. 

The QiC awards recognises, rewards and shares innovative practice which has demonstrated quality in diabetes management, education and services for people with diabetes and/or their families. To read more, click here.

Xultophy (IDegLira) has been found to be more cost-effective when compared with current basal insulin intensification in people with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes.

The findings of the once-daily single injection combination of Tresiba (insulin degludec) and Victoza (liraglutide), were unveiled at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference in Glasgow by Novo Nordisk. To read more, click here. 

An online guide to eating and diet has helped people with diabetes address their relationship with food, a leading charity has announced.

Diabetes UK said 82 per cent of people who participated in an online survey said its Enjoy Food project had prompted them to eat more healthily. To read more, click here. 

Using a low energy formula diet (LED) for 12 weeks produces significantly greater weight loss, according to a study unveiled at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference.

Other benefits discovered from using a LED in people with type 2 diabetes included a reduction in insulin and improvement in HbA1c, when compared with gold-standard NHS care. To read more, click here. 

A drive is underway to improve the care of people with diabetes admitted to hospitals in Leicester.

Two initiatives have been set up to help doctors at the University Hospital of Leicester NHS Trust improve their understanding and knowledge about diabetes management and insulin safety in hospital.

One of the schemes involves a series of short cartoons based on real life scenarios. To read more, click here.