The New Year started off with some positive news when Professor May Ng OBE published a new book on autism.
A position statement on therapeutic carbohydrate reduction nutrition interventions for people with type 1 diabetes was also released in January by the Society of Metabolic Health Practitioners.
Also during this month, Spirit Health announced its new continuous glucose monitor (CGM), CareSens Air, will be available on the Drug Tariff. New research highlighted the need for primary care physicians to incorporate physical inactivity screening into routine assessments.
Meanwhile, an audit showcased the benefits of joining an X-PERT Health education programme.
In February, hundreds of healthcare professionals attended the Diabetes UK Professional Conference (DUKPC) 2025 in Glasgow. During the conference, a new tool which can identify the most effective glucose-lowering drugs for a person with type 2 diabetes was launched.
According to data presented at DUKPC 2025, the ELSA (EarLy Surveillance for Autoimmune diabetes) study screened 25,165 children, exceeding its original target by more than 5,000. February was the month a teenager at Birmingham Children’s Hospital became the first person in the UK to receive a groundbreaking treatment called teplizumab, which delays type 1 diabetes.
Also during February, we remembered June James – a 'one in a generation' diabetes nurse who passed away peacefully following a courageous battle with cancer.
Additionally, an experienced podiatrist revealed that timely onward referrals will reduce high numbers of amputations in at risk people with diabetes. This month, a further analysis of the European MIDFRAIL intervention study demonstrated lasting improvements in frailty status and physical function in older adults with type 2 diabetes.
Meanwhile, a new survey shared that nearly half of people with type 2 diabetes experience micronutrient deficiencies.
In March, Professor Melanie Davies CBE was chosen to become the first woman in the UK to receive a 2025 National Scientific and Health Care Achievement Award from the American Diabetes Association (ADA).
Ypsomed and CamDiab launched the iOS version of the mylife CamAPS FX app.
In addition, NHS England announced that it would invest £59.5 million in the second year of the national hybrid closed-loop roll-out.
Abbott released a new film which reveals how misconceptions can impact diabetes care. Also in March, the DSN Forum UK launched a new diabetes technology survey on hybrid closed-loop systems and continuous glucose monitoring.
Meanwhile, research outlined that finerenone consistently reduces morbidity and mortality in people with type 2 diabetes across a broad range of glycaemia and glucose-lowering regimens.
A story which hit the headlines this month was that Wegovy®▼ reduces cardiovascular events in adults with obesity and heart disease, new data presented by Novo Nordisk showed.
Meanwhile, research revealed that smartwatches may help control type 2 diabetes through exercise. In April, a study reported that more than 250 million people worldwide are unaware they are living with diabetes.
Afon Technology once again won a European Product Design Award for its Glucowear™ device and Andrew Hattersley CBE was awarded the 57th European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) Claude Bernard Prize for his groundbreaking and transformative work in diabetes.
May saw the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) publish a new comprehensive guideline for managing overweight and obesity. In addition, NHS England released updated guidance on managing diabetes during pregnancy.
Also during May, more than 800 healthcare sites took part in Insulin Safety Week, making it a record-breaking year for the campaign. Insulin Safety Week 2025 has been funded by Sanofi, embecta, D&H Food & Nutrition and Needle Bay, who have had no input into any arrangements or content.
The DSN Forum UK published a new continuous glucose monitoring comparison chart in May, as well as new 'how to' guides to help diabetes specialist nurses build confidence in advanced practice skills.
Additionally, Professor Samuel Seidu was selected to chair an expert panel of the Research Excellence Framework 2029 (REF).
June was a big month for the diabetes community when the winners of the Diabetes Nursing Awards 2025 were announced. The Diabetes Nursing Awards™ 2025 was funded by A. Menarini Farmaceutica Internazionale SRL and embecta which have had no input into any arrangements or content.
Diabetes specialists came together in June to share research and knowledge at the inaugural Type 1 Diabetes Early Detection Summit.
Researchers behind a ground-breaking new report said current thinking around type 2 diabetes remission needs to be re-examined to improve patient outcomes. Later in the month, Vertex presented updated data from the Phase 1/2 portion of the Phase 1/2/3 FORWARD-101 clinical trial of zimislecel during the American Diabetes Association 85th Scientific Sessions.
Dr Dawn Harper featured in the Big Interview and Ravinder Dosanjh became the recipient of the British Journal of Nursing’s Diabetes Nurse of the Year Award 2025 for demonstrating outstanding diabetes care.
Meanwhile, Karen Addington was awarded an MBE for her services to people with type 1 diabetes and Professor Noel Morgan was appointed as the Editor-in-Chief of Diabetes UK’s journal, Diabetic Medicine.
Also this month, Spirit Health launched its new Training Excellence Award, celebrating healthcare professionals who go above and beyond to support people living with diabetes through education and training.
In July, GIRFT produced a guide to support clinical teams in establishing diabetes safety boards.
A study revealed that people with a history of foot ulcers or amputations should be prescribed SGLT2 inhibitors and the first Barbie with type 1 diabetes was revealed.
July was the month an updated version of the ITS insulin safety e-learning module for staff caring for adults with diabetes in hospital was launched. Also this month, a study found that inhaled insulin is as safe and effective as injected insulin for children.
Research published in July also showed that the NerveCheck Master could be a potential new screening tool for cardiac autonomic neuropathy.
In August, draft NICE guidelines proposed upgrading Sodium-Glucose Transport Protein 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors from second choice to first-choice treatments for type 2 diabetes.
Earlier this month, teplizumab was authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). In addition, the UK Court of Appeal dismissed AstraZeneca’s challenge to a previous High Court ruling, upholding the decision to invalidate the company’s patent and supplementary protection certificates (SPCs) for its type 2 diabetes treatment dapagliflozin (Forxiga).
Also in August, a new subtype of diabetes was identified in children and young people in sub-Saharan Africa. Landmark trial results released this month demonstrated that Mounjaro is associated with cardiovascular protection.
Meanwhile, the Leicester Diabetes Centre launched an updated version of its Insulin Education Toolkit in August.
PICTURE CREDIT: EASD – European Association for the Study of Diabetes
In September, the 61st Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) took place in Vienna, with thousands of healthcare professionals attending the annual event both in-person and online.
During the conference, research showed that once-weekly CagriSema 2.4 mg/2.4 mg provides clinically meaningful weight reductions in adults with overweight or obesity and type 2 diabetes. According to findings presented at EASD 2025, tirzepatide helps weight loss among people living with type 1 diabetes.
New research results released in September revealed that people from Afro-Caribbean and South Asian backgrounds are less likely to be prescribed continuous glucose monitors compared to White individuals. In addition, findings identified a hidden genetic risk which could delay diabetes diagnosis for Black and Asian men.
Meanwhile, a new study found that type 2 diabetes may accelerate the development of multiple long-term conditions.
In October, a new report outlining the importance of early detection screening for type 1 diabetes was published by the charity Breakthrough T1D.
According to research published in October, people of African-Caribbean ethnicity with type 2 diabetes are a third more likely to develop sight-threatening diabetic retinopathy than other ethnic groups. In addition, researchers announced they have developed a new insulin–glucagon molecule which could reduce dangerous drops in blood glucose.
The DSN Forum UK welcomed 150 delegates to its third annual conference. Also that month, Trend Diabetes released a new educational video on how to examine for lipohypertrophy.
Hundreds of sites across the UK and Ireland took part in Hypo Awareness Week in October. Hypo Awareness Week 2025 was funded by Sanofi and embecta, who have had no input into any arrangements or content.
Meanwhile, Diabetes UK and Kidney Research UK launched a new mini e-learning module to help healthcare professionals improve kidney health for people living with diabetes.
Later this month, Afon Technology announced it was finalising a landmark manufacturing agreement with Sony UK Technology Centre (TEC) Limited to produce its groundbreaking, innovative and market-leading medical device.
November saw the 15th annual QiC awards recognise initiatives that have improved the lives of people living with diabetes.
The World Health Organization released its first global guidelines for the management of diabetes during pregnancy in November. Also that month, a survey conducted by Roche found that individuals living with diabetes are at higher risk of experiencing poor wellbeing and negative work experiences.
Earlier this month, Dr Stephen Lawrence launched Prescribed Notes - the world’s first platform to use music as an immersive, memorable tool for learning complex health concepts.
In addition, international research published in November showed that less than half of people living with type 2 diabetes meet the recommended guideline targets for blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol.
Meanwhile, volume six of the MulT1verse comic series was published. And, Pancreatic Cancer UK launched a first-of-its-kind diabetes and pancreatic cancer six-part online course in November.
In December, a study revealed that diabetes technology confidence is low among community and primary care staff. People living with type 1 diabetes who have transitioned from paediatric care to adult services were sought for a new study.
Also, CDEP hit more than 150,000 completed topics in December. Additionally, research found the risk of developing cancer following a prediabetes diagnosis is greater in those aged between 55 and 75 years than any other age group.
Meanwhile, Afon Technology took home the Innovation Award at the MediWales Innovation Awards 2025 for its pioneering development of Glucowear™
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