The children’s diabetes team at East Surrey Hospital have been commended for a prestigious national Quality in Care Award for their work with children and young people.
The judges praised their project which they said embraced technology to help promote self-care. They added: “Parents becoming experts on their children’s pumps is fantastic and worthy of recognition.”
The team of paediatric diabetes doctors and nurses, dietitian and psychologist, led by consultant paediatrician Dr Neemisha Jain, work with children and their parents to help them understand the way technology can help them have more independence when living with diabetes.
Every year, they support 250 children and young people with the condition at the hospital, run by Surrey and Sussex Healthcare NHS Trust.
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.
Dr Jain said: “We have made the best use of a variety of types of different technology to engage our patients and give them the confidence in controlling their diabetes.”
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.
Chief executive Michael Wilson said: “I know the team have worked very hard to make sure their patients get the benefit from all that technology offers. Their work helps our younger patients to take control of their condition and live their life to the full.”
