The children’s diabetes team at East Surrey Hospital have been shortlisted for a national Quality in Care Award in the Best Initiative in Specialised Care for their work in supporting and teaching local children and young people with diabetes to make the most of using technology in their day to day care.
Every year, the team at the hospital, run by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust, support and care for over 250 children and young people with diabetes. Central to the care they provide is the use of technology such as insulin pumps, electronic glucose pumps and computer software programmes to view results. The combination of these devices gives anyone living with diabetes more control, which enables them to better look after themselves and their condition.
The team of paediatric diabetes doctors and nurses, dietitian and psychologist, led by Dr Neemisha Jain, consultant paediatrician, have worked with children and their parents to help them to understand the way technology can help them to have more independence when living with diabetes.
Dr Jain explained:
“We have worked with our patients and families to help them develop self-care skills by making use of advanced technology.
“We have also developed a database which enhances the support we offer our patients and by downloading results from their blood test meters and pumps, even when done at home, means insulin doses can be adjusted when needed – giving patients’ better control and greater freedom and flexibility too.”
Children’s diabetes clinics are held at East Surrey, Crawley and Horsham Hospitals and the central database and technology means that up to date information such as a child’s recent blood sugar test results from home can be downloaded by any of the diabetes team and discussed with the children, young people and their parents during their clinic appointment.
Debbie Pullen, chief of the paediatric service, said:
“I am delighted that the team have been shortlisted for the award – it is recognition of not only their hard work in making sure their patients get the benefit from all that technology offers but also their vision in making sure local children and young people are able to take control and live their lives to the full.”
The winners of the Awards will be announced at a ceremony taking place in Guildford on Thursday October 15, 2015.
