January

A flash glucose monitoring map was released to help people with diabetes pinpoint what the technology policy is in their local area. The Diabetes UK Flash Map helps users to find out the situation in their area, showing the decisions made on access in each area.

Meanwhile, the findings of the CCG Improvement and Assessment Framework (CCG IAF) revealed 86 CCGs were rated good or outstanding, 26 more than the previous year.

February

In February we reported how the number of people with diabetes has more than doubled in the last 20 years, with nearly 90 per cent of diagnoses being type 2. The data, released by Diabetes UK, showed there are now almost 3.7 million people living with a diagnosis of the condition in the UK, an increase of 1.9 million since 1998.

Meanwhile, the proportion of people with type 2 diabetes who received all the annual nine key care processes increased from 46 per cent to 58 per cent in one year following a pharmacist-led review in Berkshire. Pharmacists reviewed 5,910 people with the condition from 13 GP surgeries in the NHS Slough Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) area.

Also in February, NHS England praised diabetes care across Suffolk and north east Essex, rating it as “outstanding” following an assessment, drawing on data as well as a review by an independent panel looking at two key indicators.

March

The 2017 National Diabetes Inpatient Audit (NaDIA) results were released, revealing more than a quarter of hospital sites did not have dedicated diabetes inpatient specialist nurses.

Also the latest results from the National Diabetes Foot Care Audit (NDFA) were published. Less than half of participating commissioners confirmed that all three care structures were in place (47 per cent), according to findings from the third annual report covering England and Wales.

Also making the headlines were Diabetes UK’s new dietary guidelines for type 2 diabetes which reignited the ‘low fat, high fat’ debate​. The guidelines were presented at the Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2018 held in London.

Sanofi’s Toujeo® (insulin glargine 300 units/mL (Gla-300)) demonstrated statistically significant improvements in HbA1c in people with type 1 diabetes at six months, according to real-world retrospective data presented during the month.

A top guideline for managing hypos in hospital published by the Joint British Diabetes Societies (JBDS) for Inpatient Care was revised to factor in changes to the sugar content of beverages, including Lucozade and Ribena.

April

The winner of the Rowan Hillson Insulin Safety Award 2017 was announced. Dr Stuart Ritchie, Consultant Physician, of Western General Hospital, NHS Lothian, was declared the winner from a competitive field for his entry ‘Development of an inpatient diabetes dashboard to drive quality improvement’.

Meanwhile, the Eatwell Plate was slammed in the European Parliament, with the concept of basing diets on starchy foods being branded “misguided”. The guideline says meals should include potatoes, bread, rice, pasta or other starchy carbohydrates, with low or reduced-fat cheese and yoghurt and preferably unsaturated oils and spreads. But cardiologist Dr Aseem Malhotra, the Queen’s former doctor Sir Richard Thompson and nutritionist Sarah Macklin called for an overhaul of official guidelines, advocating a low-carbohydrate, Mediterranean diet to help prevent type 2 diabetes.

Also, the third edition of the ‘End of Life Diabetes Care: Clinical Care Recommendations’ was published to reflect latest evidence.

May

A framework to support the careers and practice of pharmacists caring for people with diabetes was launched by the UK Clinical Pharmacy Association (UKCPA) Diabetes & Endocrinology Group.

The document, ‘An Integrated Career and Competency Framework for Pharmacists in Diabetes First edition 2018’, outlined capabilities required for pharmacists to deliver high-quality care in all settings. It was developed in response to the emerging role for which there is no single recognised qualification.

Diabetes UK launched a campaign to improve food labelling after a poll commissioned by the charity called for more clarity from producers and providers. The charity’s Food Upfront campaign asked for mandatory, front-of-pack 'traffic light' labelling on all pre-packaged food, and calorie labelling in cafes and restaurants.

Also during May, the first national Insulin Safety Week took place.

June

NHS England announced the publication of a guide advising healthcare professionals on the best language to use when communicating with people with diabetes. The publication 'Language Matters: Language and Diabetes' aims to reduce any potential negativity from doctors and nurses in interactions with people living by providing practical guidance.

An online digital dietician that uses artificial intelligence (AI) to provide personalised food recommendations was named the winner of a global diabetes innovation competition. Whisk, an online culinary coach that is being adapted to help people with type 2 diabetes manage their diet better, has scooped the top cash prize of €100,000 in the Ascensia Diabetes Challenge.

Meanwhile, we also reported how the award-winning Low Carb Program got the green light for use by the NHS by a leading accreditation body. It can now be prescribed by healthcare teams after getting the go-ahead from the Quality Institute for Self Management Education and Training (QISMET).

The Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) also released an online course exploring low glycaemic-index (GI) diets in type 2 diabetes during June.

July

An expert panel issued a series of recommendations following an extensive review of diabetes care. The seven suggestions aimed at reducing variation in diabetes care and ensuring it is optimised for people with the condition were revealed at the launch of The iDEAL (Insights for Diabetes Excellence, Access and Learning) Group.

Meanwhile, a benefit and risk tool developed for the use of SGLT2 inhibitors was published following a review of available evidence. The quick reference guide aimed to provide clarity regarding common areas of confusion in clinical practice associated with risk of lower limb amputations and bone fractures, late and early use of SGLT2i treatments within the type 2 diabetes pathway and risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

Another cohort of Diabetes UK Clinical Champions was announced. The line-up of 20 healthcare professionals included consultants, nurses, GPs, dietitians, podiatrists, pharmacists and psychologists.

August

The award-winning Low Carb Program is “effective” for achieving glycaemic control, weight loss and reducing hypoglycaemic medications, the DT reported in August.

The online platform was launched on World Diabetes Day in 2015 by Diabetes.co.uk to help people prevent or reverse type 2 diabetes by advocating a diet low in carbohydrate and high in healthy fats.

An online information resource for people with type 1 diabetes was launched by NHS England. Housed on the NHS.uk website, the information hub covers access to support, including groups, social media, helplines and how to get psychological therapy services.

In August we also reported on the publication of a predictive model of long-term risk for severe hypoglycaemia in people with type 2 diabetes.

September

A report published by the National Diabetes Audit (NDA) revealed dedicated pump clinics and an emphasis on structured education contribute to successful type 1 diabetes specialist services.

The NDA released the short summary report 'Feedback from the most successful type 1 specialist services', revealing the factors behind the top performing centres.

The best performing organisations delivering X-PERT education across the UK and Ireland were presented with awards at the Health Awards ceremony.

October

Praise was heaped on teams going above and beyond to improve diabetes care at the eighth annual Quality in Care (QiC) Diabetes Awards. Master of ceremonies Dr Hilary Jones set the congratulatory tone as 15 winners were announced and all of the entrants were applauded for innovation, excellence and a determination to raise standards in the name of people with diabetes.

NICE confirmed an update of the QOF indicator list for 2019/20 features eight new diabetes indicators. The new approach, which comes following a review of the QOF in England, will improve outcomes and decrease the risk of harm from over-treatment, the organisation said.

Meanwhile, more than 500 nurses attended TREND-UK’s recent National Annual Conferences where diabetes in older people and cardiovascular outcome trials were discussed. Just like in previous years, the free, CPD-accredited event was held in two different locations to make access for attendees easier.

Frailty, sarcopenia and the importance of physical activity and individualised care were themes of the 5th National Conference of the Older People’s Diabetes Network (OPDN), which also took place in October.

November

Well over 4,000 delegates attended November's Diabetes Professional Care (DPC2018). The record-breaking figure exceeded last year’s total of 3,235 delegates. In just its fourth year, DPC2018 is the UK’s only national, free-to-attend and CPD-accredited conference for those involved in the prevention, treatment and management of diabetes, and its related conditions. It has become the best-attended event for healthcare professionals working in the field.

It kicked off on November 14, World Diabetes Day, at London’s Olympia with a keynote speech delivered by Professor Jonathan Valabhji, NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Obesity and Diabetes and Dr Partha Kar, Diabetes Consultant and National Associate Clinical Director for Diabetes.

DPC2018 also saw the inaugural DPC Industry Awards, in association with the Diabetes Times, which celebrated excellence among companies and organisations within diabetes.

Meanwhile, NHS England announced the FreeStyle Libre would be prescribed to everyone with type 1 diabetes who qualifies for the technology from April 2019.

Also, Diabetes UK defended its deal with Britvic saying the money will go towards helping support children with type 1 diabetes in schools. 

December

Health Education England launched an online Diabetic Foot Screening Interactive Assessment to improve screening practices and increase prompt and appropriate referrals to the diabetes specialist foot services.

Also in the news during the month, an expert panel responded to NHS England calls for the prescribing of cheaper blood glucose test strips for type 2 diabetes by advocating quality and calling for independent testing of equipment. The iDEAL (Insights for Diabetes Excellence, Access and Learning) Group urged prescribers to consider quality as part of a raft of measures outlined in a position statement.

During December, the International Diabetes Summit organised by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Diabetes brought together high-level representatives from around the UK and the world to discuss diabetes. 

The organisers of Diabetes Professional Care (DPC) revealed details for the 2019 show, with the event heading to a bigger venue to cater for growing demand.

The free-to-attend, CPD-accredited education conference will be held on October 29 and 30, staying at Olympia London but moving to its National Hall – allowing for larger theatre capacities and space for additional new streams. Delegates can now also register an interest in next year’s show.

In December the DT also teamed up with Expertscape, the world’s leading index of academic achievement and expertise in healthcare, to highlight the UK’s leading diabetes experts. We published a list of the most influential UK researchers in type 1 diabetes in terms of impact as part of a new DT series.

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