We have joined forces with Act as One, the health and care partnership for Bradford and Craven, to lead the fight against diabetes across the district as part of a strategic alliance.
This commitment will see Diabetes UK collaborating with organisations that form the health and care partnership for Bradford District and Craven. This strategic alliance will bring together knowledge and expertise from across health, care and community organisations and aims to tackle the diabetes crisis head on.
Working together to fight diabetes
The collaboration will build on the work already happening across the district, to improve outcomes and quality of life for people living with any type of diabetes, or at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Bradford District and Craven has one of the highest rates of diabetes in the UK with over 44,000 people currently diagnosed with the condition . This is 8.9% of the local area, while nationally 7% of people are living with diabetes on average. By working together, the aim is to support people make healthier lifestyle choices to reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes as well as managing other types of diabetes such as type 1 or gestational diabetes.
John Holden, Director of Strategy and Integration at Bradford Teaching Hospitals and Senior Responsible Officer for the Act as One Diabetes Programme, said:
“This collaboration with Diabetes UK allows us to build on the innovative work we have already been doing as a partnership locally. This is a symbolic and important commitment that demonstrates our resolve to do all we can to reduce the prevalence of type 2 diabetes for future generations.
“Recently we have been working with people living in Keighley of a Bangladeshi heritage to find out more about their experiences of living with or caring for someone with type 2 diabetes as well as what steps they can take to make small, achievable changes to their lifestyles. This insight has helped us look at a new model of care localised to the community working with primary care networks - groups of GP practices working together - that is tailored to meet the needs of the community we serve.”
Bringing health and care professionals together
Ahead of the announcement, Diabetes UK and the Act as One Diabetes Programme held a workshop for health and care professionals on Thursday 25 November. This provided people with an opportunity to consider how the alliance can be used to prevent type 2 diabetes, improve care for people living with diabetes as well as how people can be supported to self-manage their condition.
Clare Howarth, Head of the North of England at Diabetes UK said:
“Diabetes is a serious condition, requiring constant management. Without the right treatment, care and support, the condition can lead to devastating, life-altering complications - including heart attack, kidney failure, stroke, foot disease and blindness. But we know that with the right care and support, diabetes complications can be avoided, and cases of type 2 diabetes can be put into remission, or prevented altogether.
“Through our partnership with Act As One, we want to build on some of the brilliant work already happening across Bradford and Craven to support the over 44,000 people living with diabetes and the thousands more who are at risk of type 2 diabetes. We know that by working together we maximise our ability to tackle the diabetes crisis and work towards a world where diabetes can do no harm.”
